Key Findings

• Syria’s GDP is estimated at around $29 billion, while the cost of full reconstruction is estimated between $250 billion and $500 billion.
• The Syrian government is offering incentives like cash-for-work programmes to encourage employment opportunities and the reconstruction of infrastructure at a quicker pace. 
• Gulf state investors have expressed interest in rebuilding Syria’s telecommunications sector, which will cost between $200-$300 billion. 
• It is estimated that the rehabilitation of housing and related infrastructure, such as water, will take up about 60% of the estimated reconstruction bill.
• Major infrastructure rehabilitation is required for oil fields and pipelines, which are mainly located in the country’s east. Exporting oil via the Mediterranean will require further pipeline construction.
• Syria is suffering from a massive housing deficit owing to intense urban fighting and the gradual return of refugees. 
• The UN has identified a $500 million gap in funding required for the agricultural sector to become operational and sustainable once more. 
• The World Bank has offered $146 million to invest in the rehabilitation of Syria’s electrical power grid. Türkiye and Qatar have also proposed investments in this sector. 
• Syria’s tourism industry is starting to make a minor comeback at certain sites in the country’s south, such as Bosra al-Sham in Daraa province. 
• Iraq’s restoration of cross-country transit networks in the form of the Development Road can be an essential model for Syria to rebuild its transit network and become a regional hub.

Summary

Following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria has entered a critical phase of post-conflict recovery. The establishment of a transitional government, the lifting of international sanctions, and renewed foreign interest have opened a window of opportunity for reconstruction across key sectors. Years of war have devastated Syria’s infrastructure, economy, and human capital—halving GDP, crippling transit networks, and displacing millions. Now, new investment contracts in construction, energy, telecommunications, and transportation signal the start of large-scale rehabilitation efforts. 

Cash-for-work initiatives and international funding, including World Bank support, are helping rebuild while addressing unemployment and skills gaps. However, challenges remain: extensive damage, funding shortfalls, and ongoing instability pose significant risks to long-term recovery. Drawing inspiration from Iraq’s Development Road and growing regional connectivity via the Belt and Road Initiative, Syria aims to reclaim its role as a regional transit hub. While high-risk, the Syrian market offers high-reward potential for early investors—especially from neighboring states—provided they align with local capabilities and remain mindful of persistent security and governance issues. The report outlines these emerging opportunities, sector-specific needs, and the strategic importance of international engagement in Syria’s reconstruction.