CargoSyr 2026 Launches in Damascus to Boost Regional Transport
The fourth edition of the International Exhibition and Forum for Transport, Shipping, and Logistics (CargoSyr 2026) has officially opened in Damascus under the theme “Transport: An Engine for Regional Integration.” The event drew a significant presence of Syrian government officials and transport experts from across the region, highlighting the state’s ongoing commitment to advancing the nation’s transport sector and infrastructure.
During the opening panel, Minister of Transport Yarub Badr emphasized that the government has prioritized the development of the Syrian transport and transit corridor. Badr underscored the necessity of upgrading infrastructure at border crossings to reduce shipping times and costs, thereby enhancing Syria’s capacity to facilitate regional and international freight traffic. The Minister highlighted several vital projects currently underway, including the rehabilitation of the road from Damascus International Airport toward the Lebanese border and the Aleppo-Latakia highway. Furthermore, he noted strategic road projects being implemented in cooperation with companies from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar, designed to link Damascus, Palmyra, and Deir ez-Zor with Al-Hasakah and the Iraqi border.
Omar Al-Hosari, head of the Civil Aviation Authority, outlined a strategic shift toward restoring confidence in transit via Syrian airspace. He highlighted plans to update regulations for the sector and integrate air transport with land and maritime logistics hubs. Al-Hosari detailed initiatives to invest in the Damascus and Aleppo airports by establishing advanced air cargo centers, modernizing the air freight fleet, and signing new bilateral agreements to improve connectivity.
Representing the regional perspective, Musa bin Ahmed Al-Barqi, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics for Saudi Arabia, pointed to the disruptions in international navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that these challenges have created a new reality requiring the exploration of alternative routes, specifically highlighting the potential for Syrian ports on the Mediterranean to play a role in global container trade when integrated with land transit networks. Al-Barqi welcomed the return of Syria as an active logistics hub and emphasized the importance of streamlining truck transit programs between regional nations.
Brigadier General Mazen Basbous, Director General of Land and Maritime Transport at the Lebanese Ministry of Public Works and Transport, addressed the necessity of establishing an alternative route for transporting goods through Lebanon and Syria to reach global markets. He called for the simplification of customs procedures, the adoption of standardized documentation, and the digitization of operations to ensure the smooth flow of commercial traffic.
The event, which runs until September 22, underscores Syria’s efforts to reactivate its role as a land bridge connecting the Eastern Mediterranean with the Gulf and Iraq. This objective is being pursued through the integration of ports, road networks, and rail links that the Syrian government aims to reconnect with neighboring countries, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of regional supply chains.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
