A Year of Signings
The government has announced the signature of 54 economic-related memorandums of understanding and agreements so far in 2026, comprising 30 memorandums and 24 agreements. The tally offers one of the fullest pictures yet of how quickly the country is courting foreign partners.
The distinction matters: memorandums of understanding signal intent, while agreements carry firmer commitments. The near-even split shows a mix of early-stage talks and more concrete deals rather than a single wave of finished contracts, and it sets a baseline against which future progress can be measured.
Gulf States Lead
Gulf countries accounted for half of all signings. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait have emerged as the most active counterparts, reflecting the region's outsized role in Syria's economic reopening.
Their prominence suggests that capital and political backing from the Gulf will weigh heavily on which projects move first and how quickly they are funded.
Energy and Transport on Top
By sector, energy and hydrocarbons ranked first, accounting for 22.2 percent of the total. Transport and logistics ranked second at 18.5 percent, together underlining a focus on the infrastructure needed to move goods and restore power.
The concentration in these two sectors points to priorities that can shape trade flows, fuel supply, and the cost of doing business across the country.
From Paper to Practice
Of the 54 memorandums and agreements, 17 had clearly entered the implementation phase, while seven others showed tangible progress toward implementation. That leaves the majority still at the paper stage, a reminder that signatures do not guarantee delivery.
With 17 deals moving and seven more advancing, roughly half of the total has yet to show visible progress. The implementation rate will be the clearest test of whether the wave of signings translates into investment, jobs, and rebuilt capacity on the ground, or remains a list of intentions.