The spirit of collaboration and growth is flourishing in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia extends a helping hand to Syria through meaningful development partnerships. This week, leaders from the Saudi Fund for Development met with Syrian ministers in Damascus to explore exciting opportunities for cooperation that could transform lives across multiple sectors.

Sultan Al-Marshad, Chief Executive of the Saudi Fund for Development, sat down with Syria's Minister of Finance Mohammed Yusr Barniyeh, Health Minister Dr. Musab Al-Ali, and Education Minister Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko to chart a course toward sustainable development. The conversations focused on how Saudi Arabia's five decades of global development expertise can help Syria achieve its goals and strengthen critical infrastructure.

Since opening its doors in 1974, the Saudi Fund for Development has become a beacon of international cooperation, touching lives in more than 100 developing countries. The fund has supported over 800 development projects and programs worldwide, with total contributions exceeding an impressive $22 billion. Now, Syria stands to benefit from this wealth of experience and commitment to positive change.

The Ripple Effect

The timing of this outreach couldn't be better, as Saudi Arabia itself is experiencing a remarkable economic transformation that demonstrates the power of strategic development. The Kingdom's thriving business environment welcomed 123,000 new commercial registrations in just the fourth quarter of 2025, pushing total active registrations beyond 1.8 million.

Perhaps most impressive is the healthcare sector's meteoric rise, with foreign investment skyrocketing by nearly 560 percent over three years. This explosive growth reflects tremendous international confidence in Saudi Arabia's vision and capabilities. The Kingdom now leads the entire region in healthcare investment, with recent agreements at the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh totaling about $35.4 billion.

Innovation is blooming across multiple sectors. Active e-commerce registrations jumped 9 percent year-over-year, while artificial intelligence-related businesses grew by 34 percent. The gaming industry expanded 27 percent, cybersecurity registrations increased by the same margin, and health software applications surged an astonishing 85 percent. Even forward-looking infrastructure like electric vehicle charging stations is expanding rapidly, growing 26 percent.

The construction sector is particularly vibrant, leading all industries with over 66,000 new registrations in the final quarter alone. Riyadh topped regional performance with 45,600 new commercial registrations, followed by strong showings in the Eastern Province and Makkah Region.

Recent investment forums have generated enormous enthusiasm, with the Biban Forum producing agreements exceeding $10.1 billion and the Northern Borders Forum showcasing over 240 investment opportunities valued at $10.6 billion across diverse sectors from agriculture to tourism.

As Saudi Arabia shares its development success story with Syria, the message is clear: sustainable growth, international cooperation, and strategic investment can create transformative change. The partnership represents more than financial support. It's about sharing knowledge, building capacity, and creating pathways to prosperity that can uplift entire communities and help nations achieve their full potential.