Over 20 Austrian companies eye Syria after Vienna forum
The Vienna forum opened the door to Austrian–Syrian cooperation in railways, metro and vocational training — with over 20 companies showing interest in the Syrian market, and one Austrian firm setting up an entity in Damascus.
Vienna — 11 November 2026 | Reading time: 2 minutes
Prepared by: Construction & Investment Prime (CIP)
More than 20 Austrian companies have shown interest in exploring cooperation and business opportunities in the Syrian market, following up on the outcomes of the 16th Austrian–Arab Economic Forum, held in Vösendorf near Vienna on 10 and 11 November.
The Syrian delegation was headed by Minister of Transport Yarub Badr, and included President of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce Alaa Al-Ali, Vice President and President of the Aleppo Chamber of Commerce Mohammad Saeed Sheikh Al-Kar, and board member Ammar Ezzat.
Sheikh Al-Kar identified three main areas for cooperation: agricultural technology, railway transport including metro and electric tram systems, and vocational training and technical qualification. He explained that Austrian expertise in agricultural technology can help combat desertification and improve agricultural output in quantity and quality, that its experience in manufacturing electric trains and developing metro systems opens the way to modernising Syria’s transport networks and connecting its regions, and that Austria offers training programmes in more than 240 specialisations in various fields.
Richard Pfeffer, CEO of Austria’s Pfeffer & Partner, said work is under way to establish a company in Damascus to cooperate with local partners and provide vocational training and development for Syrian staff under the Austrian model, and that the proposed projects will be implemented in partnership with local entities, creating jobs inside Syria. He noted that a meeting held a day before the forum with Minister of Transport Yarub Badr, attended by embassy representatives, discussed prospects for joint cooperation.
Mudar Khouja, Secretary-General of the Arab–Austrian Chamber of Commerce, expressed his hope that Syria’s participation would mark the start of stronger economic and trade cooperation, translating Austrian interest into tangible partnerships and projects, particularly in energy, railways and infrastructure.
Prepared by: Construction & Investment Prime (CIP) — All rights reserved
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