Syria, Uzbekistan Discuss Expanding Trade Cooperation
Chambers of commerce met virtually to explore new trade houses and a proposed trilateral partnership with Kazakhstan.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in International Trade
The Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce and Uzbekistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a virtual meeting on Tuesday to discuss expanding bilateral trade cooperation. Plans were discussed to establish an Uzbek trade house in Aleppo and a Syrian trade house in Uzbekistan.
Why it matters
The talks signal an effort to deepen commercial ties between Syria and Uzbekistan and to explore a trilateral arrangement involving Kazakhstan. Shared shipping ventures were discussed as a way to reduce transportation costs.
The Syrian federation reported the outcomes through a statement on its Telegram channel rather than an independent filing. No trade volumes, investment amounts, or signed agreements were disclosed, and the status of the proposed trade houses and joint shipping companies remains unconfirmed.
The players
Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce
The federation that represents Syria's regional chambers of commerce and hosted the virtual meeting from its Damascus headquarters while publishing the outcome statement.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's national chamber that took part in the virtual talks on expanding bilateral trade with Syria.
The details
Participants in the virtual meeting, hosted from the federation's Damascus headquarters, included Mohammad Saeed Sheikh al-Kar, Anas al-Bou and Davron Vakhabov. The discussions covered a proposed trilateral partnership among Syria, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and the Syrian side has been invited to an international economic forum in Tashkent later this month.
Timeline
May 20: Aleppo Chamber of Commerce held an economic forum attended by an Uzbek delegation.
Tuesday, November 4, 2026: Syrian and Uzbek chambers held the virtual meeting.
Later in November 2026: International economic forum in Tashkent, to which the Syrian side has been invited.
Early 2027: An economic forum is planned in Damascus.
Market Landscape
The proposed exchange of trade houses and the Tashkent forum reflect Uzbekistan's broader strategy of using trade-house diplomacy and regional forums to widen export markets. Syria's participation signals an attempt by a sanctions-constrained economy to reconnect with Central Asian commercial partners.
For businesses in the region, new trade houses and joint shipping arrangements could lower transport costs and open access to Uzbek and Kazakh markets if the proposals move forward. Readers should watch for signed agreements at the Tashkent and Damascus forums before assuming any change in trade terms.
The takeaway
Proposals for trade houses and joint shipping firms remain early-stage, so businesses should wait for formal agreements at the upcoming forums before acting on them.
What happens next
The Syrian side is invited to an international economic forum in Tashkent later in November 2026, and an economic forum is planned in Damascus in early 2027.
Further reading
For broader context on cross-border commercial agreements, see International Trade.
Source note: This article includes information reported by S A N A.
