Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued Presidential Decrees No. 190 and 191 on Sunday to appoint new leadership within the national economic sector. Decree No. 190 designated Maher Khalil al-Hassan as the Chief Executive Officer of the Syrian Petroleum Corporation. Simultaneously, Decree No. 191 appointed Omar Samer al-Halabi as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Syrian Sovereign Wealth Fund. These appointments replace the previous leadership teams at both organizations. The presidential office confirmed these changes as part of a restructuring effort within the Syrian administration.
Background of New Appointees
Maher Khalil al-Hassan, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Syrian Petroleum Corporation, was born in Hama in 1986. He earned a degree in petroleum engineering from Homs University in 2010.
Omar Samer al-Halabi, who now serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Syrian Sovereign Wealth Fund, holds a position as a partner at KPMG Middle East.
Institutional Framework and History
Decree No. 115 of 2025 established the Supreme Council for Economic Development. This body serves as the primary organizational structure for coordinating national financial policies and overseeing major state economic initiatives.
Decree No. 250 of 2025 created the Syrian Sovereign Wealth Fund. The legislative act defined the fund as an independent entity responsible for managing state assets and capital reserves. Operations for both the Supreme Council for Economic Development and the Syrian Sovereign Wealth Fund commenced following their respective authorization dates in 2025. These institutional mandates provide the legal framework for the current administrative appointments within the national economy.
International Sanctions and Oversight
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs renewed its sanctions listing for Ibrahim Sukkariyeh on 15 October 2026. Ibrahim Sukkariyeh currently serves as the Director-General of the Syrian Sovereign Wealth Fund. This administrative action maintains his status on the Australian government's consolidated list of individuals subject to targeted financial and travel restrictions. The renewal follows the established regulatory process for oversight of foreign officials associated with state entities in Syria. No changes were applied to the scope of the existing measures during this latest update by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. Ibrahim Sukkariyeh remains the primary subject of these specific international compliance requirements.