Introduction

Investment Incentives

Types of Available Investments

Development of the Investment Climate

The requirements for growth and development in Syria are enormous and diversified. Achieving growth relies on the important role of the private sector. Hence, within the framework of Social Market Economy, the government of Syria aims to:

1. Prepare the private sector to become a fundamental base in economic activities.
2. Achieve a real and practical partnership between the private and public sectors in order to increase the added value in all industrial and services sectors.
3. Enhance the competitiveness capability of Syria commodities and services locally and internationally.

Syria needs private investments of up to 20 billion Euros during the next four years in the energy, services, infrastructure, and manufacturing industries.

• Strategic geographic location.
• Stable & safe political environment.
• Advancements in economic reforms.
• Strong links with Arab & Foreign countries.
• Variety of natural resources.
• Acceptable infrastructure.
• Reliable labor force.
• Equipped industrial Zones.
• Taxation incentives, exemptions and rebates.
• Several mutual agreements and treaties encourage and protect investments.
• Membership in MIGA, Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation, Islamic Investment Guarantee & Export Insurance Agency, and the Washington Treaty for Conflict Resolution related to investment between countries and other countries' citizens in Washington.

• Direct investment: Fully funded by the investor in accordance with the investment low.
• Partnership investment: Local parties (Public or Private) with foreign investors in Projects Finance methodology.
• B.O.T investments type.

“A  number of reforms have already been initiated to encourage private entrepreneurship, promote market mechanisms, open the economy to the rest of the world, liberalize the financial system, and begin to strengthen the medium-term fiscal outlook. An increasing number of sectors have been opened to private enterprise (including most recently the insurance sector) and exposed to international competition (including most recently textile and cement), while the foreign exchange regime has been gradually liberalized. There has been a momentum for reform to improve the overall business climate, including through a noteworthy simplification of the tax system and substantial improvement in the regulatory framework for the tourism sector. Outdated business laws and commercial codes are being revised, and the legal and regulatory framework to launch a securities market is being laid out. Overall, government interference is declining and private entrepreneurship is on the rise.”

IMF Article IV Consultation

Mission’s Concluding Statement

May 14, 2006

تم تصميمها ونشرها بمساعدة مشروع تحسين البيئة الاستثمارية - برنامج الأمم المتحدة الإنمائي -  سورية

Designed and published by UNDP-Syria "Enhance the Investment Environment" Project