About SYCAB

From its early days, SYCAB worked to transform economic relations into practical opportunities for communication and collaboration. In March 2008, the Association organized its first business delegation to Canada, led by Mr. Mohammad Daaboul and comprising 18 members.

The three-day visit included meetings with approximately 48 companies and organizations across several of Canada’s key economic centres, including Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal. It provided participants with an opportunity to learn about the Canadian business environment, explore potential areas of cooperation, and establish direct relationships with Canadian companies and institutions.

In June 2010, the Association continued these efforts by organizing a second business delegation to Canada, with 15 members. The visit included Saskatchewan, Vancouver, and Toronto, with the objective of expanding the Association’s network of business and institutional relationships and exploring opportunities across the Canadian market.

A third business delegation was planned for 2011; however, the visit was cancelled approximately two weeks before its scheduled departure due to the deteriorating security situation in Syria at the time.

These visits reflected SYCAB’s commitment to fostering direct engagement between the business communities of both countries and creating the conditions for long-term commercial and professional relationships.

From its early years, SYCAB recognized the importance of institutional cooperation in expanding its reach and strengthening its presence. The Association established several agreements and cooperation arrangements with institutions and business councils in Canada and the region, including:

• An agreement with STEP in Canada’s grain and food sector.
• An agreement with the Montreal Chamber of Commerce.
• An agreement with the Canadian Council for Education and Training.
• An agreement with the Jordanian Canadian Business Council (JOCABA).
• An agreement with the Lebanese Canadian Business Council.

These partnerships reflected the Association’s commitment to building an institutional network that connects the Syrian business community with counterparts in Canada and the wider region. They also created a foundation for cooperation in trade, investment, education, training, and knowledge exchange.

These relationships provided a basis for developing new partnerships and expanding opportunities for engagement among businesses, institutions, and professionals in both countries.

Throughout its history, SYCAB has welcomed delegations, distinguished guests, and representatives of Canadian institutions, providing a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the exploration of shared opportunities.

These engagements included individuals and organizations working across a range of fields, including economics, industry, innovation, food, international development, education, real estate development, and housing. This breadth of engagement reflected the Association’s diverse interests and its commitment to expanding its institutional and professional networks.

SYCAB also contributed to educational and professional initiatives designed to facilitate knowledge transfer and draw on Canadian expertise. These initiatives included cooperation that led to the introduction of English-language educational programs at a private university in Syria, as well as collaboration with Canadian institutions in professional training and development.

One notable example was the cooperation with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which contributed to the organization of a three-month training program for staff of the Real Estate Bank in Syria. The program aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and professional expertise in areas related to real estate development and investment.

These initiatives reflected the Association’s belief that education, professional training, and knowledge exchange are essential tools for developing professional capabilities and strengthening institutional capacity.

Despite the difficult security and political circumstances that Syria experienced, SYCAB continued its efforts to maintain communication with Canadian counterparts and explore new areas of cooperation.

As part of these efforts, the Association held meetings with the Canadian Ambassador and representatives of Canadian relief and development programs in the region. During these engagements, SYCAB presented a range of initiatives and proposals relating to reconstruction, school rehabilitation, and infrastructure development, while exploring opportunities for Canadian contributions in collaboration with the Association and its partners.

However, the political and institutional circumstances at the time, together with restrictions affecting cooperation with Syrian government institutions, limited the possibility of advancing several of the proposed initiatives.

Despite these challenges, the Association remained committed to dialogue and engagement, recognizing that sustainable professional and institutional relationships provide an important foundation for future cooperation when circumstances allow.

The history of the Syrian Canadian Business Association (SYCAB) represents a valuable institutional legacy of relationships, partnerships, and expertise developed over many years of work to strengthen connections between Syria and Canada.

From business delegations and international agreements to educational initiatives, training programs and knowledge exchange, the Association’s journey has helped establish a network of relationships that can serve as a foundation for a new phase of engagement and cooperation.

Today, SYCAB seeks to reactivate and build upon this legacy in response to emerging needs and opportunities. Its priorities include developing strategic partnerships, strengthening connections between businesses and institutions, exploring trade and investment opportunities, promoting knowledge and expertise exchange, and opening new avenues for economic and professional collaboration.

Our goal is to strengthen SYCAB’s position as a trusted platform connecting the business communities of Syria and Canada, linking economic opportunities with professional and institutional capabilities to foster lasting relationships and create meaningful opportunities for cooperation and growth.