Azadea Group’s leadership team recently visited Damascus, Syria, to explore the country’s evolving retail landscape and the potential for international brands across sports, fashion, beauty, F&B and lifestyle.

The delegation comprised CEO Yenal Gokyildirim and COO Walid Chahine, alongside senior commercial leads Duncan Muir, Antoine Wassef and Nizam Madi.

The team met with key government and business stakeholders, including H.E. Nidal al-Chaar, Minister of Economy and Industry, and Eng. Ahmad Rawad Ramadan, Director-General of the Syrian Investment Authority. Discussions focused on Syria’s economic outlook, investment environment and the potential role of international retail in the market’s development.

Meetings with developers and landlords behind current and planned retail destinations across Damascus and Aleppo offered insight into the retail development pipeline. The delegation also explored plans for destinations combining retail, F&B, hospitality and entertainment, with particular attention to the revitalisation of Old Damascus and its cultural heritage.

The visit reflects Azadea’s continued commitment to exploring new opportunities across the region, with local customers at the heart of its approach. In Damascus, this includes the potential to bring global lifestyle brands to the city, offering customers greater choice and new shopping and dining experiences that complement its distinctive character and cultural heritage.