First Cairo Visit by a Syrian Foreign Minister
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in Egypt on 3 May 2026 at the head of a senior diplomatic delegation, on his first official visit to Cairo. Economy and Industry Minister Nidal Shaar travelled with him.
The visit was structured around a series of economic meetings on cooperation, trade, and joint investment between the two countries.
Talks with Industry and Investment Officials
In Cairo, al-Shaibani and Shaar met Egyptian Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem and Mohamed Awad, head of Egypt's General Authority for Investment and Free Zones. Discussions centred on expanding economic, industrial, and investment cooperation, and on opening new fields for joint work in line with both governments' mutual interests.
Both sides stressed the importance of widening bilateral partnerships and deepening economic integration between Syria and Egypt.
A Decree Forming a Joint Business Council
During the visit, the Syrian Economy Minister issued a decree establishing a Syrian-Egyptian Business Council. The body is presented as a practical step to activate cooperation between the two business communities and to organise future partnerships.
The council is intended to function as an institutional channel between the private sectors of the two countries, framing how joint projects are structured and brought to officials on each side.
Following the al-Sharaa–el-Sisi Encounter
The trip follows a meeting between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at the Arab-European Summit, part of a series of mutual diplomatic exchanges between Damascus and Cairo in recent months.
First Trade Channel in 15 Years
Earlier in 2026, an Egyptian commercial delegation travelled to Damascus, the first such visit in more than 15 years. Officials on both sides have signalled expectations of a rise in investment and trade exchange in the period ahead, as the renewed engagement is converted into commercial channels through the new business council and through continued contact with Egypt's investment authority and industry ministry.