The reconstruction of Raqqa is entering a new phase. On 3 September 2026, the Raqqa Governorate and the Syrian Investment Authority signed an agreement with Turkish companies Kayan Commercial Holding Group and MYB to establish a new industrial and crafts zone. The agreement was signed during the 63rd Damascus International Fair.

The project will be developed in Sahla al-Banat, around four kilometres from the city of Raqqa. According to Syria’s Minister of Local Administration, the zone is expected to cover between 70 and 150 hectares and include 2,500 to 4,000 plots for industrial and craft activities.

Towards the revival of a devastated city?

One of the project’s main objectives is to relocate workshops and small businesses currently scattered across the city into a dedicated area with suitable infrastructure, while also attracting new investment. The authorities hope the project will create jobs and help revive local production.

The development is part of a much broader strategy known as “Raqqa Vision 2030.” Plans include a 5-square-kilometre industrial city, the development of food-processing industries, as well as a 1.5-square-kilometre tourism and leisure zone along the Euphrates River.

Once a stronghold of the Islamic State group (ISIS) and the scene of intense fighting, Raqqa continues to grapple with heavily damaged infrastructure. Roads, street lighting, sewage systems, water treatment and waste management are among the sectors identified as priorities for reconstruction.

The agreement also highlights the growing role of Turkish companies in Syria’s reconstruction. As early as May, a delegation from Şanlıurfa held talks with local authorities on industrial and infrastructure projects in Raqqa.

Source: SANA