Syria and Azerbaijan Establish Joint Business Council in Baku

Syria and Azerbaijan established the Syria-Azerbaijan Joint Business Council on September 25, 2026, during the 2nd Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku. The council was announced by Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, Syria's Minister of Economy and Industry, and Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Syrian government to restore international economic ties and attract foreign investment. Minister al-Shaar stated that Syria has transitioned to a free-market economy and is updating its legislation to attract high-quality capital and long-term partnerships. He emphasized that the country is not seeking financial aid, but rather "smart" capital.

This agreement follows a similar move by Syria to create a Joint Business Council with Uzbekistan. Al-Shaar described the current global economic environment as a period of "selective globalization," where economic resilience has become as critical as efficiency.