Return of refugees to Syria pushes growth above World Bank estimate, central bank chief says

Abdul Kader AlHussrieh, Governor, Central Bank of Syria speaks via video link during the Reuters NEXT conference in New York City, U.S., December 4, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

NEW YORK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Syria's economy is growing much faster than the World Bank's 1% estimate for 2025, due to the flow of refugees back to the country after a 14-year civil war ended, aiding plans for the country to relaunch its currency, Syrian central bank governor AbdulKader Husrieh told Reuters NEXT on Thursday.

Husrieh also said he welcomed a deal with Visa to establish digital payment systems and added that the country is working with the International Monetary Fund to develop methods to accurately measure economic data.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey and David Lawder)