Syrian officials and economic experts have affirmed that lifting sanctions on Syria would offer a genuine opportunity for the country to re-engage with the international economic system and pave the way for a new phase of recovery and economic improvement. They emphasised that lifting sanctions reflects an international political will more than it does a legal matter.In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), they indicated that current signs suggest the sanctions will be lifted quickly and without bureaucratic obstacles, thanks to direct support from major powers, led by the US, the United Kingdom, and France, which have already lifted their economic sanctions on Syria.Syria’s reintegration into the global financial system, they said, will facilitate financial transfers, stimulate the economy, and spur investment and reconstruction booms.In this context, Syrian Minister of Energy, Engineer Mohammad al-Bashir, said that lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Syria will open the door to a new phase of joint recovery and rebuilding and improving the economic situation. He praised the efforts of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye in supporting the lifting of the sanctions.The minister of energy stressed that this pivotal role will have a profound impact on reopening Arab communication channels, fostering a climate of openness and mutual co-operation, and enhancing the economic outlook.He added that the government highly appreciates the efforts made by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye in supporting the push to lift sanctions on Syria, adding that these efforts stemming from a sincere commitment to Arab unity and alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Syrian people.For his part, Dr Osama al-Qadi, head of the Qadi Center for Economic and Financial Consulting, affirmed that lifting sanctions reflects a political decision more than a legal one. He noted that US President Donald Trump had given clear signals of support for the new Syrian administration and even invited the Syrian president to visit the US, a move al-Qadi described as a direct invitation to partnership.He explained that current political indicators suggest the lifting of sanctions will proceed quickly and without bureaucratic hurdles, due to direct backing from major countries, chiefly the US, UK, and France, which have already lifted their economic sanctions on Syria. He added that Syria’s reintegration into the global financial system will facilitate financial flows, reinvigorate the economy, and create a surge in investment and construction.Al-Qadi stressed that Syria’s economic environment needs technical support from sister countries, which have supported, and continue to support, the Syrian people through various stages. He expects these countries to contribute to rebuilding the banking sector and providing the necessary support to develop it in line with global standards.He added that Syria now has a real opportunity to emerge from isolation, and that success in seizing this pivotal moment will require a comprehensive national effort, including legal and institutional reforms, eliminating corruption from the business environment, and restoring Syria’s international reputation. He emphasised that Syria can become a reconstruction hub attracting investment from around the world and breathing new life into its battered economy.Dr Firas Shaabo, a Professor of financial management at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul, said that lifting sanctions could be seen as a positive signal to markets and foreign investors, allowing for an influx of investment and boosting commercial activity. It would also enable the Syrian market to open up to modern technologies and advanced infrastructure.He added that the biggest challenge lies in the assumption that sanctions are the sole reason for economic dysfunction and that their removal will automatically improve the economy. He clarified that real improvement requires efficient management of state resources, the development of strategic economic plans, and governance of government operations.He pointed out that the challenges facing the Syrian economy include widespread infrastructure destruction, weak financial institutions, corruption, and political instability.Regarding the Syrian banking system, Shaabo said that the capital base of Syrian banks is very small; there are 16 private banks, the largest of which has capital of no more than $10mn. Six banks have capital below $3.5mn, and the rest between $1mn and $500,000. He concluded as a result that the banks’ capital must increase.He stressed the important role that Gulf and regional banks will play in the next phase, noting that Gulf banks already have a presence through Syrian banks that are considered extensions of them. He said that lifting sanctions will encourage international institutions to return gradually to Syria, and the pace of their return will depend on Syria’s commitment to required reforms and the stability of the country’s overall situation.Dr Sinan Hathat, an expert in population affairs, said that lifting sanctions would open the door to international and regional investment, especially in sectors experiencing growing demand such as energy, transportation, logistics, and real estate. He explained that the Syrian market appears attractive to investors seeking new opportunities, which would create both direct and indirect job opportunities and help revitalise production chains in the agriculture and industry sectors.He added that the expected return of investment will have a dual effect; the first is that it will help rehabilitate the national economy, and on the other, it will generate direct and indirect jobs for Syrian workers, whether in construction or through the activation of industrial and agricultural value chains.Dr Nawar Najmeh, political affairs researcher and member of the Syrian National Dialogue Committee, described the sanctions as having created an economic and diplomatic prison for Syria, blocking the flow of goods and money and preventing interaction with the global economic system. He said their removal is a step toward liberating the Syrian economy and reconnecting it to the international system. He added that the coming period could see an influx of goods, medical equipment, and technology, which would allow for fundamental reforms in infrastructure and public services.Dr Yasser al-Hussein, an academic specialising in political economy, considered the lifting of US sanctions specifically to be a strategic shift in the Syrian file, potentially opening the door for Syria to reconnect with the global financial system after years of isolation.He said that the destruction inflicted on infrastructure requires investments exceeding $400bn, including for water, electricity, and road networks, as well as the construction of housing, health, and educational facilities. Lifting sanctions, he said, would allow international companies to enter and implement these projects, which would increase competitiveness and reduce operational and insurance costs.Al-Hussein pointed out that economic openness will help rehabilitate the social environment by encouraging the return of Syrian refugees from neighbouring countries and Europe, especially as resources become available to rebuild schools, hospitals, and basic services. He explained that this new climate could help reduce poverty levels, which, according to UN estimates, have exceeded 90%, by creating new job opportunities especially in the private sector and small and medium enterprises.In the same context, Dr Ibrahim Nafi Qushji, an economist and banking expert, said that lifting sanctions marks a turning point for the future of the Syrian economy, as it paves the way for reintegration into global markets and enhances trade and investment flows. He noted that achieving sustainable recovery will depend on the readiness of the economic infrastructure and the ability of Syrian institutions to interact with the global financial system.Qushji explained that the positive effects of the decision will appear gradually, starting with the liberalisation of financial transactions such as access to the SWIFT international transfer system, followed by the removal of trade restrictions, and eventually a broader opening to regional and international markets. However, he stressed that this path requires comprehensive reforms, including modernising infrastructure, restructuring the Central Bank of Syria, and developing monetary policies to control inflation and stabilise the exchange rate.On the policy front, he emphasised the need to reform the legal and institutional environment to build investor confidence by enacting transparent investment laws, offering genuine economic incentives, and streamlining procedures related to business establishment and profit repatriation.