Delegation Visits Damascus
The president of Iraq's Kurdistan region, Nechirvan Barzani, arrived in Damascus on 3 August 2026 and was received by Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara at the People's Palace, alongside the foreign minister. The talks centered on strengthening cooperation, particularly in the economic field, and on regional developments.
On the same day, the head of the Syrian Investment Authority, Talal al-Hilal, met a delegation from an Erbil-based holding company to review investment opportunities, incentives, and the procedures governing new projects in Syria.
Syria as a Transit Route
Officials from the Kurdistan region described Syria as an increasingly important corridor for their trade. The head of the Kurdistan Chamber of Commerce, Kilan Haji Said, said Syria had become a transit gateway for the region, with trucks crossing daily in both directions.
Part of the flow originates in Turkey: some Turkish imports are now routed across Syrian territory and enter the Kurdistan region through the Rabia crossing, rather than moving directly.
What Crosses the Border
The goods moving along the corridor include reinforcing steel, cement, chemical fertilizers, and the output of local factories. Exports reaching Syrian markets from the Kurdistan region were listed as carbonated drinks, juices, food products, and building materials.
Trade in the other direction remains limited, described as small quantities of clothing sent from Syria. The shared frontier extends more than 600 kilometers and sees continuous commercial movement.
The Reopened Crossing
Much of this traffic passes through the Simalka crossing, which reopened on 15 June 2026 after roughly two months of closure. Flooding on the Tigris River and damage from heavy rains had shut the bridge, halting a route used for passengers, cargo, and humanitarian aid.
Investment Still Exploratory
The investment discussions remained at an early stage, with the two sides identifying points of contact to pursue opportunities of mutual interest. The visiting holding group, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Erbil, works in general trade and investment management across several sectors.
The meeting was held at the authority's headquarters, where officials reviewed incentives and facilitation measures intended to create a favorable environment for new projects. No figures or signed agreements were announced.