Following the formal end of the civil war and political transition in late 2024, Syria has entered a period of gradual economic reopening. While the country’s IP office and legal framework continued to function throughout the past decade, international sanctions and restricted trade flows significantly limited meaningful IP activity from abroad. With sanctions now being eased and foreign engagement cautiously resuming, the environment for IP protection and commercial expansion is set to become more predictable and commercially attractive.

A series of high-profile infrastructure commitments signal renewed confidence in Syria’s long-term economic prospects. The redevelopment of Tartus Port – an approximately 800 million USD, 30-year concession awarded in mid-2025 to Dubai-based logistics giant DP World – marks a significant shift. Beyond upgrading port infrastructure, the project is widely viewed as an early indicator of expanded trade routes, enhanced cargo capacity, and the emergence of Tartus as a competitive Eastern Mediterranean logistics hub.

This momentum has been reinforced by further investment activity, including the recently announced Qatar-led consortium to redevelop Damascus International Airport, valued at 4 billion USD, which is projected to include a five-star hotel, a free zone and significant commercial facilities. Together, these developments reflect increasing openness to global trade and foreign capital, creating a more conducive backdrop for brand owners seeking to enter or strengthen their position in the Syrian market.

From a sanctions perspective, 2025 brought the first meaningful relaxation of U.S. measures, including the partial suspension of restrictions under the Caesar Act. Together with cautious, calibrated relief from the EU and UK, these steps enable broader engagement in commercial transactions, advisory services, supply-chain activity, and brand expansion. For rights holders, the changes facilitate market entry, enforcement, licencing, and distribution with fewer procedural and transactional obstacles.

Syria’s underlying IP architecture remains well established, offering a functioning trade mark, patent, and copyright system. While it is not a member of the WTO or the TRIPS Agreement, Syria is party to key international IP agreements, including the Madrid Protocol and the Berne and Paris Conventions. Its domestic laws – Trade Mark Law No. 8 of 2007, Patent Law No. 18 of 2012, and Copyright Law No. 62 of 2013 – govern substantive rights and procedures.

In light of the more permissive commercial environment, rights holders are advised to revisit and rationalise their portfolios in anticipation of increasing market activity. This includes new filings (including gap-fillings), registration renewals, licence recordals, and reviewing use of marks to mitigate risks of non-use.

With the typical trade mark registration timeline in Syria currently averaging around 8–10 months in uncontested cases, early action can position businesses ahead of competitors as commercial activity accelerates.

We continue to monitor developments closely and remain available to guide clients through this evolving landscape.