An independent platform for the Syrian economy.
The Business Leadership Forum is a non-profit, non-political institution that empowers entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises and builds bridges to markets, investors, and the diaspora.
Mission
We empower entrepreneurs and grow small and medium enterprises in Syria, connecting them to markets, investors, and diaspora networks, within a framework built on reputation, transparency, and governance.
Syria rebuilds through investment, not aid — and we are the local institution that turns capital and intent into projects, jobs, and measurable results, where international partners need a local counterpart they can trust.
The forum is strictly economic, belongs to no political current, distributes no profits, and takes no equity in the projects it supports: we grow ventures, we don't own them.
Vision
A productive, diversified Syrian economy led by sustainable entrepreneurial initiatives, regaining its place regionally and internationally.
Our strategic goals
Five goals that turn the mission into measurable work.
Empower entrepreneurs
Turn graduates' and founders' ideas into real, sustainable ventures through integrated support.
Grow existing SMEs
Sustain and grow small and medium enterprises and ease their access to finance.
Market access
Connect Syrian businesses to markets, investors, and partners, inside and outside Syria.
A diaspora bridge
Bring talent and capital back home, and give those who left a reason to return.
A trusted institution
Sound, transparent governance with a reputation beyond doubt, trusted by members and funders.
Principles we work by
Reputation is the forum's real capital; five principles govern every decision and protect it.
- Economic, not political: neutral, speaking in numbers and mechanisms, not slogans.
- Reputation first: when in doubt, we choose the more restrained, more verifiable option.
- Non-profit: no profit distribution, and founders keep full ownership of their projects.
- Independence and conflict-of-interest avoidance: a clear separation of roles and interests.
- Transparency: an independent annual financial audit, with disclosure of governance and results.
Three entities, separate roles.
A structure that protects independence, prevents conflicts of interest, and opens the door to international and local funding.
The Forum
A non-profit that runs the programs, takes no equity, and distributes no profits.
The Holding Company
A separate, independent vehicle for any investment activity, built at a later stage.
The Canadian Foundation
A proposed channel for international funding and diaspora donations, linked by a memorandum of understanding and legally independent, with no control relationship.
Governance
A structure that separates setting strategy from running daily operations, and places funds under independent oversight.
Distinct roles
A General Assembly that elects and holds to account, a Board that sets strategy without running daily operations or benefiting, and a full-time executive team.
Protecting the decision
An Audit & Conflict-of-Interest Committee, an independent annual financial audit, and independent, criteria-based project selection.
A policy framework
Nine policies for governance, integrity, and the protection of beneficiaries and data, in final preparation.
Leadership
A chairman, an executive director, and board members, with an advisory council being formed. We list real names only.
Ismat al-Absi
Zaher Saadeldin
Tawfik Houboubati
Ayman al-Shukairi
Eid Bayrakdar
Majd Sharbaji
Experts & mentors
Legal status
An officially licensed institution, non-profit and non-political by license and by design.
- Registered name
- Forum for Business Leadership (مؤسسة منتدى ريادة الأعمال)
- License
- Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Decision No. 5287, dated 24/11/2025
- Nature
- A non-profit institution that distributes no profits
- Scope
- Strictly economic, non-political, inside Syria with bridges to the diaspora
- Audit
- An independent annual financial audit