Syrian Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan meets with a delegation from the UAE's "Silal" Group in Damascus, June 22. Photo: SANASyrian Arab News Agency 2026/06/22
Syria, UAE's Silal Group discuss agricultural investment, export deals
Damascus, June 22 (SANA) -- Agriculture Minister Basel al-Suwaidan met with a delegation from the UAE‘s “Silal” Group on Monday to discuss agricultural investment opportunities in several Syrian provinces and prepare for cooperation, investment and export agreements, the ministry said on Telegram.
The meeting, held at the ministry’s headquarters, explored investment opportunities in Deir Ezzor, Homs, Raqqa, Tartous and Latakia provinces, which boast diverse agricultural potential, according to the ministry.
Discussions also covered the signing of two agreements during the “Food Expo 2026” currently underway at the Damascus Exhibition City: the first for a long-term agricultural investment, and the second for the export of 3,000 tons of potatoes as an initial batch through Al Bakrawe Company.
Al-Suwaidan stressed the importance of Syria‘s agricultural sector, citing the country’s climate diversity, high-quality produce and availability of engineering expertise and specialized labor. He emphasized the need for comprehensive studies of targeted lands and sites to develop a preliminary investment plan within contracts that safeguard state rights, adding that the ministry is ready to provide necessary facilitation for these projects.
The UAE delegation, led by Silal Group’s Chief Executive Officer for Food Security Humaid Ahmed al-Rumaithi, and Al Bakrawe Group CEO Ammar Bakri, expressed their interest in investing in Syria’s agricultural sector due to its high-quality and globally competitive products.
The delegation highlighted the importance of adopting modern agricultural technologies to extend growing seasons and increase production, with a focus on developing high-value crops including avocados and kiwis.
KhA
