Syria’s housing push: Syria plans to build or rehabilitate 2 million homes by 2035 to tackle a shortage estimated at 1.9 million units in 2025, rising to 2.5 million by 2030 without faster supply, with financing expected to mix government land, private capital, partnerships and foreign investment. Damascus project finance: QNB Group (via QNB Syria) and partners Al Baraka Bank Syria and Commercial Bank of Syria launched joint banking financing for the final phase of the “Qasioun Journey” project in Damascus under the Syrian Ministry of Finance sponsorship. Cash crunch hits farmers: In Hasaka, cash shortages and delayed liquidity are holding up wheat invoice payments, with the Agricultural Bank needing about 300 million Syrian pounds per day but receiving only around 70 million. Tourism rebound: Syria welcomed 3.52 million visitors in H1 2026, more than double year-ago levels, as arrivals surged and the government targets Gulf and higher-spending markets to convert demand into investment and jobs. Lebanon-Syria ties: Lebanon and Syria met in New York to deepen cooperation, including electricity, railways and energy connectivity, as both seek a “new page” after the Assad era. UNGA momentum: Syria’s FM said the country has moved from “outlining visions” to implementing commitments as President al-Sharaa continues UNGA engagements. Cultural repatriation: The US returned 36 antiquities worth $5m+ to Syria in New York, including Palmyra reliefs and Roman mosaics.