Research on Entrepreneurship in Syria Post-Assad
RESEARCH
Diagnostic of MSMEs in Syria: A Case Study from The Manufactoring Sector in Aleppo
Drawing on my PhD and post-doctoral research on Syrian entrepreneurship since the 2011 revolution and conflict, I was commissioned by Synaps to conduct research on entrepreneurship following the fall of the Assad regime after December 8th, 2024. I explored the appetite for return and the business trajectories of Syrian entrepreneurs in exile, while also diagnosing the situation of Syrian entrepreneurs inside Syria, particularly women and men running micro and small businesses. The research was conducted in Aleppo, Damascus and surrounding areas, including Salamiya.
Understanding Return(s), Economic Policies, and Prospects for Development
The research allowed me to make sense of certain realities and difficulties tied to current economic policies, notably in Aleppo’s manufacturing sector. It also broadened my perspective on trajectories of return, which vary in form, including South-South ad hoc arrangements as well as North-South returns (upcoming publication, Maya Chehade, 2027, “The Unequal Return to Syria; The Trajectories of Former Syrian Refugees (2011-2026)”, Comparative Migration Studies Journal). At the same time, it provided valuable insights into private-sector development inside Syria and its links to different segments of the population, notably the Syrian diaspora and business communities that have developed in neighbouring countries and across the region.
Building on these findings, I participated in workshops organised by international donor institutions interested in developing economic and foreign cooperation with Syrian authorities, where I provided insights and advice on current constraints and opportunities for project development.
