By Mohamad Mazen

Copyright sana

President Ahmad al-Sharaa received, Wednesday, a delegation of French businessmen and investors at the People’s Palace in Damascus.

The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in vital sectors such as energy, aviation, tourism, digital transformation, and resource management.

President al-Sharaa affirmed that Syria is confidently moving toward stability and development. He emphasized the state’s commitment to updating investment laws and creating an attractive environment, welcoming French companies for their global expertise and leadership.

The President explained that Syria is anchored by two main pillars: security stability and economic development. He noted that the country is working to revise its investment laws to encourage investors.

President al-Sharaa highlighted the importance of both domestic and foreign investment, rejecting reliance on aid. He praised the global leadership of French companies and stated Syria’s readiness to facilitate procedures to activate investment, noting a shared cultural affinity between Syria and France.

The French companies’ delegation: A new phase of cooperation with Syria

Philippe Gautier, CEO of MEDEF International, stressed the significance of today’s visit by company representatives to Syria, describing it as the first of its scale and level since 2008.

Gautier said the visit reflects great confidence in the new Syria. He thanked the President for the opportunity to meet with officials and ministers, emphasizing the importance of the visit in addressing the delegation’s inquiries and praising the government’s cooperation.

Hadi Akoum, Vice president sales Africa and the levant for Airbus, expressed the company’s aspirations to offer services and investments in Syria’s civil aviation sector. He noted Airbus’s capacity to contribute significantly to Syria’s future in civil, military, and rotary aviation.

Mouchir El Husseinii, General Manager of Thales, expressed pride in being part of the French delegation in Syria and in Syria’s resurgence. He stated that Thales offers services in aerospace, aviation equipment, and digital identity, and affirmed the company’s interest in partnering with the private sector.Stéphanie Gaudichon, Senior Vice President of (BUREAU VERITAS), affirmed the company’s intention to be part of providing services in the field of laws, solutions, and regulations related to digital transformation activities with the Ministry of Finance, highlighting the company’s ability to operate across all government sectors to achieve growth within international standards.For his part, Steve Danis, Head of Global Affairs and Public Engagement and a member of the Executive Committee at Accor Hotels (ACORR), pointed to the company’s ability to help Syria develop its tourism sector. He emphasized the importance of tourism and the encouraging opportunities in Syria in terms of generating revenue and creating numerous job opportunities, while also expressing the company’s readiness to train and prepare local staff.

Vincent Minuit, Head of Public Affairs and Security at SUEZ, explained that the company is in the process of building the second-largest water treatment facility in Jordan and could implement similar projects in Syria. He noted that the company has the capacity to support municipalities across various Syrian provinces and looks forward to working with both the public and private sectors to provide the best services to the Syrian people in the fields of waste management and water resources.

Pioneering French companies around the world

Among the companies whose representatives President Al-Sharaa received today was CMA CGM, a French company that is a global leader in shipping and container transport. It operates in more than 160 countries through hundreds of offices and agents, with a fleet of over 650 vessels serving more than 420 ports worldwide. Its headquarters are in Marseille, while its North American headquarters are in Norfolk, Virginia, United States.

Also, MEDEF, the Movement of French Enterprises, also known as the French Employers’ Association, was established in 1998. It represents the interests of French companies of all sizes and includes more than 200,000 member companies, ranging from large to medium and small enterprises.

Accor is a French hotel group founded in 1967 and headquartered in Paris. It manages more than 3,600 hotels across 92 countries and five continents, with a diverse portfolio of brands catering to all categories, from budget to luxury.

Airbus SAS, the aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of the European aerospace group EADS, is headquartered in Toulouse, France. It is one of the largest producers of jet aircraft in the world, supplying nearly half of global production.

Bureau Veritas is a global company specializing in testing, inspection, and certification. Founded in 1828, it operates in multiple sectors such as construction, infrastructure, marine industries, agri-food, consumer products, and certification. It is present in 140 countries through a network of 1,500 offices and laboratories with more than 78,000 employees, and in 2019 it achieved revenues of €5.1 billion.

The Ellipse Group comprises European companies specialized in high-value technological industries, particularly in developing advanced infrastructure in the health and digital sectors.

ESA Business School is a prestigious educational institution that aims to prepare future leaders through international programs and world-class academic and professional experiences.

French Healthcare Association seeks to promote French expertise in the health sector globally by showcasing French medical technologies and innovations internationally, supporting members in expanding abroad, participating in international exhibitions, and fostering connections between the public and private sectors. It facilitates governmental and diplomatic cooperation and has built a network of more than 300 members, including companies, research institutions, hospitals, and digital solution providers.

Gide Loyrette Nouel is one of the oldest law firms in France, founded in 1920 in Paris. It has around 550 lawyers and combines strong local expertise with the ability to provide cross-border legal advice. The firm is present in several cities, including Algiers, Casablanca, London, New York, Tunis, and Warsaw.

IN Groupe is a French company specializing in digital identity solutions and secure services. Its origins date back to 1538 when it was founded as the “Royal Printing House.” Today, known as IN Groupe and fully owned by the French state, it provides solutions including the issuance of official documents (identity cards, passports), secure digital services, optical and biometric technologies. In 2025, it expanded by acquiring the “Smart Identity” division from IDEMIA. Its motto is “Your right to be yourself,” combining its historical legacy with digital leadership.

Intercéréales is a French non-profit organization representing the grain sector. It brings together 14 professional unions, working to strengthen cooperation among producers, exporters, and industrialists, develop agricultural research, promote French products locally and internationally, and support sustainable agricultural policies.

Matière is a French family-owned company founded in 1932, specializing in construction and civil engineering. Headquartered in the Cantal region, it focuses on designing and building bridges and metal and concrete structures. It operates several production facilities in France and Belgium, employs around 475 people, and generates revenues exceeding €130 million, 65% of which come from international markets. The company has completed more than 17,500 projects worldwide, with a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability.

SUEZ is a global leader in environmental solutions and infrastructure for water and clean energy. It provides innovative services to communities and industries in dozens of countries with the aim of promoting sustainability.

Thales Group is a French multinational founded in 1893, specializing in electronics and advanced technologies. It operates in aviation (avionics and navigation), defense (radar

MHD Ibrahim