Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa visited Hama and Homs yesterday, engaging with thousands of citizens, as the nation's Ministry of Energy signed multiple agreements with Saudi companies. These developments follow the suspension of key elements of the 2003 Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act by the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) earlier this week, easing de facto trade embargoes. The agreements signed with Saudi firms, including Acwa Power, Arabian Drilling, ADES, ARGAS, TAQA, PDC, and Saudi Electricity Company, cover a broad range of cooperation in electricity projects, transmission and distribution, geophysical surveys, oil field services, drilling, and workforce development. The Ministry of Energy stated that the cooperation aims to provide integrated solutions for oil and gas field development and management. The BIS announcement, effective as of yesterday, lifts the requirement for licenses for most purely civilian goods, software, and technology (EAR99), consumer communication devices, and some civil aviation items. It also eases the process for obtaining export licenses for telecommunications infrastructure, sanitation, power generation, and civil aviation. Previously, exporting to Syria required a license, with those from the BIS being virtually impossible to secure. All other dual-use items will now undergo a case-by-case review. Analysts suggest the easing of restrictions on IT services will be particularly significant, allowing Syrians to engage more effectively with the global community. President Al-Sharaa's visits to Hama, where he was seen in Al-Asi Square, and Homs, were noted for his interaction with the public.
