U.S. President Trump announced Wednesday that Washington will remove war-battered Syria from its "terrorist sponsor" list.
"I promised to remove all barriers stopping you from rebuilding your country, and very soon, you will finally be able to do so," Trump wrote in a letter to al-Sharaa seen by Reuters.
"We have U.S. companies ready to invest in Syria and help make your country greater and more prosperous than ever before," he added in the letter that a senior U.S. administration official said was handed to al-Sharaa after their meeting in Ankara Wednesday.
Trump said he had notified Congress, which will now conduct a 45-day review before the decision can take effect.
The designation as a state sponsor of terrorism carries restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, defense exports and certain financial transactions.
Syria Central Bank Gov. Safwat Raslan said the move by the U.S. opens wider aspects of investments and economic recovery and the reintegration of Syria into the global economy, according to a post on Telegram.
Last year, Trump signed an executive order terminating a U.S. sanctions program on Syria, allowing an end to the country's isolation from the international financial system.
Several Saudi firms are planning billion-dollar investments as part of Riyadh's efforts to support its recovery, while other Gulf states have also pledged financial assistance.
Trump on Wednesday complimented al-Sharaa and had previously encouraged his actions against the Daesh terrorist in the region. "He's respected by everybody, including me," Trump said.
