The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed its commitment to supporting the Syrian government’s efforts to rehabilitate the economy and improve the performance of key economic institutions, indicating that the country has entered an accelerating recovery phase, SANA reported on February 26.

The IMF mission team visited Damascus between February 15 and 19 to discuss the latest economic and financial developments, the progress of reforms, and to provide additional technical assistance activities.

In a statement released on February 25, following a mission visit to Damascus led by Ron van Roden, the IMF noted that Syria’s economy had undergone positive structural changes. These included achieving a fiscal surplus and a sharp decline in inflation, supported by the lifting of international sanctions and Syria’s reintegration into the global economic system.

The IMF praised the fiscal policies implemented by Syria’s Ministry of Finance, citing preliminary data showing that the government successfully closed the 2025 budget with a "small surplus." This achievement reflects strict discipline in controlling spending within available resources, alongside a complete cessation of reliance on "monetary financing" from the central bank, setting the stage for a new era of financial independence.

This stability has paved the way for an ambitious 2026 budget, aimed at significantly increasing spending on healthcare and education, improving wages, and rehabilitating infrastructure, while ensuring protections for the most vulnerable groups and developing social safety nets.

On the monetary policy front, the IMF acknowledged the Syrian Central Bank’s exceptional success in maintaining a tight monetary stance, resulting in a significant slowdown in inflation, which dropped to "low double digits" by the end of 2025. At the same time, the Syrian pound rose sharply from 2024 levels.

The IMF explained that its future support for Syria will focus on strengthening the central bank’s independence, developing a modern monetary policy framework, and restructuring the banking system to restore public confidence and activate its role in financing and international trade. 

The IMF also confirmed that an intensive technical cooperation program has been agreed upon, supporting Syria’s Ministry of Finance’s "Strategic Transformation Plan 2026-2030" and the central bank’s strategy. This will include debt management, updating financial legislation in line with international standards, and preparing for the resumption of the "Article IV Consultations," which would place Syria back on the international financial map.

The statement notes that Syria’s sustained recovery will require ongoing international support and the ability to mobilise external financing. The IMF mission expressed high appreciation for the transparency and constructive dialogue during meetings with Syrian Minister of Finance Mohammad Yasser Barnieh and Syrian Central Bank Governor Abdulkader Husrieh, which enhances international confidence in Syria’s ability to lead a historic phase of reconstruction and sustainable growth.

Barnieh and Husriehi welcomed the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent statement praising Syria’s commitment to sound economic policies. Barnieh said, "This positive assessment will enhance international investors' confidence, opening broader avenues for cooperation and support." He also affirmed, "We are committed to continuing necessary structural reforms to foster economic stability and sustainable growth."

Husrieh said "The IMF has confirmed that despite the significant constraints, the Central Bank maintained a tight monetary policy, contributing to a noticeable slowdown in inflation and a marked improvement in the exchange rate compared to 2024,”. He also noted the IMF’s call to empower the Central Bank for better financial stability, stating, “We look forward to working with the IMF on financial sector reforms and supporting the central bank’s strategy for 2025-2030 through capacity-building programs.”