State of the World from NPR Building a Tech Industry in Syria From Scratch
Mar 20, 2025
A conference in Damascus brought together visionaries aiming to revive Syria's tech industry, a sector dormant during years of civil war. The resilient journey of a Syrian-American graduate student from Stanford showcases both the potential and the obstacles ahead. Participants shared hopes and challenges, highlighting ambitions that persist despite the harsh realities of the past. It's a tale of ingenuity and determination, capturing the spirit of rebuilding a nation from scratch.
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Omira's Journey
- Abdul Wahab Omira, a Syrian-American, left Syria as a teenager due to a harrowing experience with security forces.
- He eventually thrived in the U.S., graduating from Stanford and starting a tech company to aid Syrian farmers.
Tech Conference in Damascus
- A tech conference in Damascus drew 700 attendees excited to rebuild Syria's tech sector.
- Many, like Omira, acknowledge the immense challenges due to lack of basic infrastructure.
Sanctions Impact
- U.S. sanctions, though aimed at the former dictator, still hinder investment in Syria.
- This makes rebuilding the tech industry difficult, even after the dictator's removal.