Emaar Properties Founder and Managing Director Mohamed Alabbar has outlined plans for $16 billion to $17 billion in real estate and tourism investments in Syria, highlighting long-term development opportunities, job creation and sustainable growth.
October 16, 2026 | Palak Kataria | Syria, UAE | Developer | 4 Min Read
Image Courtesy: Investor’s Globe
Mohamed Alabbar, Founder and Managing Director of Emaar Properties and Founder of Eagle Hills, has unveiled plans for investments valued at between US16billionandUS17 billion in Syria, outlining an ambitious vision for real estate, tourism and long-term economic development.
Speaking at RISE Summit 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre on October 14, Alabbar highlighted Syria's development potential and the importance of investment strategies that combine commercial viability with economic and social value.
His remarks reflect a long-term approach to international real estate investment, with a focus on creating integrated destinations that support communities, business activity and employment.
During a session titled Building Through the Cycle, moderated by CNBC anchor and correspondent Dan Murphy, Alabbar discussed opportunities in emerging property markets and the importance of evaluating investments through detailed feasibility studies.
He identified Syria's natural resources, agricultural potential and local expertise as important foundations for future development.
Alabbar also shared insights from his recent visit to the country, expressing appreciation for the professionalism and cooperation he encountered during discussions with officials.
He emphasised that successful investment requires careful commercial planning alongside meaningful contributions to the communities where projects are developed.
The investment vision follows an important milestone for Eagle Hills, which signed a framework agreement with Syria's Ministry of Public Works and Housing in early October.
The agreement establishes a basis for cooperation on residential and tourism developments, beginning with Damascus Heights in the capital and Latakia Yachts & Marina on the Mediterranean coast.
The projects are intended to combine residential development with tourism, lifestyle facilities and supporting infrastructure.
Their planned locations offer different development opportunities, with Damascus serving as a major urban centre and Latakia providing access to Syria's Mediterranean coastline.
The framework agreement represents an initial step towards developing the projects, with further planning and implementation arrangements to follow.
Alabbar highlighted the importance of creating long-term economic benefits through major development projects.
He noted that investments of this scale can extend over periods of 20 years, making sustainable relationships with local communities essential.
The proposed developments are expected to focus on opportunities for employment, local business participation and wider economic activity.
This approach reflects Alabbar's emphasis on combining large-scale development expertise with an understanding of the markets and communities in which projects operate.
Through Eagle Hills, the investment initiative aims to contribute to Syria's evolving real estate and tourism landscape while creating destinations designed for long-term use.
During the summit, Alabbar also discussed Emaar Properties' operational performance and its approach to long-term business planning.
He reported that the company's real estate sales backlog stands at approximately AED150 billion, highlighting the scale of its existing development commitments.
He also noted that buyer payment performance has remained comparable to 2025 levels, and in some respects stronger.
Looking ahead, Alabbar revealed that Emaar has completed the design of a distinctive new building, with further progress dependent on improvements in logistics and supply-chain conditions.
His remarks highlighted the importance of combining ambitious development plans with disciplined execution and market awareness.
Alabbar's proposed investment in Syria represents another chapter in his international real estate development ambitions.
From landmark urban projects to integrated residential and tourism destinations, his development philosophy continues to emphasise long-term planning, quality and the creation of lasting economic value.
As Eagle Hills advances its framework agreement and the proposed projects move through subsequent stages, the initiative could contribute to new opportunities across Syria's property, hospitality and construction sectors.
The announced investment range remains a forward-looking plan, with its eventual scale and implementation dependent on project-level decisions and development progress.
Sources: Emirates News Agency (WAM); Mohamed Alabbar / Eagle Hills, Framework Agreement Announcement
