Finance Minister discusses early recovery projects and investment flow with German minister
Finance Minister Mohamed Yusr Barnieh discussed with German Foreign Minister and Member of Parliament Sarab Güler the prospects of strengthening economic and financial cooperation between Syria and Germany, in a meeting described as reflecting a "remarkable shift" in the course of relations between the two countries, and a "transition" from the stage of emergency humanitarian aid to an approach based on sustainable economic recovery and opening the way for long-term investment partnerships.
A source who attended the meeting told "Syrian News" that supporting early recovery projects and rehabilitating basic infrastructures topped the discussions files, in addition to ways to activate financial and banking channels that facilitate trade exchange and the flow of investments.
The source pointed out that the meeting discussed Syria's openness to cooperation with international financial institutions, especially the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and the opportunities this provides to enhance cooperation with European partners, in addition to discussing the role of German development institutions in supporting recovery projects, capacity building, and encouraging investment in the Syrian market.
Minister Bernier explained the ongoing financial reforms, calling on German companies and financial and banking institutions to explore investment opportunities and enter the Syrian market, and contribute to development efforts.
The minister also called for the establishment of a center for the transfer of knowledge and expertise and capacity building in Syria, with the aim of identifying development needs and gaps, supporting technical and investment cooperation, and paving the way for future partnerships.
$141 million in 2025
A semi-official report obtained by "Syrian News" confirms that the total volume of trade exchange between Syria and Germany reached about $141 million during 2025, in an indicator described as a reflection of the gradual return of economic movement between the two countries, in conjunction with the ongoing political and economic transformations.
The report showed that German exports to Syria reached $67.06 million in 2025, compared to $74.13 million from Syrian imports, which is a trade surplus in favor of Damascus driven by the great demand of the Syrian community in Germany for national food products, according to the report.
By the beginning of 2026, the pace of growth accelerated significantly, as German exports jumped in February to €6.12 million, a growth of 69.8%, while Syrian imports increased to €4.64 million, a growth of 118% compared to the same period last year.
German exports to Syria are concentrated in industrial machinery, auto parts, medical devices and optics, while Syrian exports to Germany are directed towards food products such as spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, olive oil, nuts, vegetables and dried fruits.
Germany ends ban on direct flights with Syria in July
In the context of growing Syrian-German tensions, a German government source revealed that Berlin will end the ban on direct flights between Germany and Syria by the end of next July, in a move that is the first of its kind in more than a decade.
The source explained in a private statement that the new decision will replace the official ban with only a "recommendation not to operate flights", which means in practice there is no legal obstacle for airlines to operate direct routes between the two countries.
According to the source, airlines will be "initially capable" of resuming direct flights after the ban ends, in a development that opens the door to the return of air connectivity between Damascus and Berlin after a pause that lasted since the early years of the Syrian crisis, when European sanctions were imposed and all direct flights were suspended.
The decision is of particular importance to Syrian refugees in Germany, especially with the growing desire to visit Syria after the fall of the ousted regime, and with the arrival of the summer holiday season, where travel has been limited to indirect flights through intermediate airports, most notably Beirut.