US Funds $3 Million in Projects to Digitize Syria’s Business and Property Records
Syria has launched a $1 million US-funded project to digitize company registration and over 5 million commercial documents, aiming to connect government offices across all 14 governorates and streamline business procedures. This initiative, announced on Sunday, November 1, is part of a broader push to modernize government services and attract investment as the country recovers from years of war.
The project, funded by the US State Department and implemented in collaboration with Syria's Ministry of Industry, Internal Trade and Consumer Protection and Creative Associates International, is projected to take six months.
According to the ministry, approximately 500,000 investors and companies are expected to benefit from the project, which will include training government employees to operate and maintain the new digital systems. The plan involves:
- Establishing a modern data center.
- Digitizing 5 million historical commercial documents.
- Connecting 14 ministry directorates across Syria's governorates to a centralized system.
An online platform will enable Syrian and foreign investors to register companies and commercial agencies remotely, reducing reliance on paper and in-person visits.
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Project Launch and Future Steps
Speaking at the launch ceremony in Damascus, Minister of Industry, Basel Abdul Hannan, highlighted the project's potential to improve the business environment and simplify administrative procedures, enhancing transparency, cybersecurity, and government efficiency.
Mohammad Hmeish, a representative of Creative Associates International in Syria, noted that the project is part of the US State Department's Governance and Economic Recovery Program, aimed at modernizing government institutions and economic services.
Following the company registration project, a separate $2 million US-funded agreement was signed on Monday, November 2, to digitize Syria’s property records. This initiative will establish five electronic archiving centers and a central data facility, focusing on Damascus, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor, Hama, and Raqqa governorates.
Together, these projects represent $3 million in US funding for modernizing Syria's commercial and property registration systems. They reflect growing US-Syrian cooperation in civilian institution-building, with a focus on strengthening government administration, improving the investment climate, and facilitating economic recovery. Officials anticipate reduced processing times, improved record access, and enhanced procedural transparency.