24 October 2025 Expert Event on “Entrepreneurship for Syria’s reconstruction”

    On October 24, 2025, the virtual expert event of the platform “A New Beginning for Syria” on the topic “Entrepreneurship for Syria’s Reconstruction” took place. Over 130 participants from the entrepreneurial and start-up scene, civil society, the business community, as well as interested individuals, attended the event. The event commenced with opening remarks by Annette Chammas, Head of the Middle East II Division at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Teuta Lika, Senior Policy Officer in the MENA Division at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

    Further information

    Further information on upcoming events of the platform “A New Beginning for Syria” is available via our email distribution list and through our LinkedIn group, which we warmly invite you to join.

    Questions and feedback

    Do you have ideas or questions you would like to share with the platform “A New Beginning for Syria”? Would you like to contribute your experience and expertise? Please contact us at: neuanfang-syrien@giz.de

    In the first part of the two-hour event, experts and entrepreneurs from the Syrian Diaspora presented the current entrepreneurial landscape in Syria and outlined the key challenges for businesses in the country. First, Ehab Badwi, founder of the Syrian Youth Assembly, described the importance of small businesses for the Syrian economy and shared a mapping tool that illustrates the Syrian start-up environment with the participants. Ghiath Bilal, founder of the consulting firm Frankly Solutions, spoke about the framework conditions for starting a business in Syria. He pointed out existing challenges, such as the sanctions and the complicated process of transferring money from abroad. He emphasized that it is important to understand the needs and the situation in Syria in order to develop a solid business idea. Raed Romhi, MENA Director of Dornier, shared his strategic assessment of existing cooperation potentials for companies in the region, using Jordan as an example.

    In the subsequent Q&A session, the participants discussed approaches to cooperation between German and Syrian companies, as well as other relevant regional actors involved in Syria’s reconstruction. Particular attention was placed on the high demand in the areas of infrastructure, food, transport, and energy, as well as on training in the field of vocational training.

    In the later part of the event, the speakers on the panel “Entrepreneurship in Action: Lessons from the field” shared insights from their experiences in founding businesses after the political changes in Syria. Anas Albasha, co-founder of Green Rubble, highlighted opportunities for entrepreneurial initiatives that support the sustainable reconstruction of Syria. Ehab Badwi and Mohamed Ghazal presented the Syrian Youth Assembly, which strengthens knowledge exchange and capacity building through webinars, online courses, and mentoring programs. Finally, Rebecca Goffin, Senior Policy Officer at German Trade and Invest, presented the de:hub initiative and the opportunities for starting a business in Germany and fostering connections with Syria.