Syria to Review Investment Projects as Budget Gap Hits $1 billion

Syria's finance ministry announced a spending review aimed at plugging a $1 billion hole in the state budget, caused by higher costs linked to regional conflicts. Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh pledged to protect salaries, health care and education while cutting what he termed "unnecessary expenditure." Investment projects, many backed by Gulf states such as UAE property ventures, a Qatari-funded Damascus airport and Saudi-assisted World Bank debt settlements, will be reassessed based on their urgency and current progress.

Projects tied to security, essential services or critical infrastructure will stay on track, whereas others that can be delayed without major impact may be put on hold. The move follows a first-half-2026 spending surge to $3.7 billion against $2.7 billion in revenue, and reflects President Ahmad Al Shara's recent remarks that Syria has become a strategic opportunity amid Middle East tensions.