Al-Sharaa’s bid for economic legitimacy

Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, is set to participate in the Future Investment Initiative (FII), the prestigious annual economic forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,.

The visit is widely seen as an attempt by the new Syrian leadership to forge strategic economic alliances and signal a shift toward reconstruction and political normalization after more than a decade of devastating conflict.

Al-Sharaa’s participation in the FII underscores Damascus’s urgency to attract foreign investment and technical expertise to rebuild critical infrastructure and revive the Syrian economy, which has been left in ruins by war, sanctions, and widespread displacement.

By attending one of the region’s most high-profile economic events, the interim president seeks to position Syria as open for business, despite lingering doubts within the international community.

The trip also carries strong symbolic weight. Al-Sharaa, whose rise to power followed the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, is reportedly seeking to reassure skeptical observers about his political direction and long-term intentions. 

Some foreign governments and investors remain cautious, pointing to Al-Sharaa’s murky past, including ties to radical Islamist groups in his earlier years.

Sources close to his office insist that Al-Sharaa has since distanced himself from extremist ideologies and is now committed to steering Syria toward economic pragmatism, regional cooperation, and institutional reform.

The Future Investment Initiative, often dubbed the “Davos of the Desert,” brings together top global investors, CEOs, political leaders, and policymakers to discuss long-term strategies for economic transformation, innovation, and sustainable development. 

Hosted by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, this year’s forum is expected to focus on AI, energy transition, post-conflict investment, and global economic resilience.

Al-Sharaa is expected to meet with Gulf business leaders and international development agencies in Riyadh, presenting a roadmap for Syria’s post-war recovery and appealing for a new chapter of engagement, beyond past political entanglements.