President Donald Trump on Wednesday informed his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa that he had decided to remove the country from the U.S. list of designated state sponsors of terrorism.

"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 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 Sharaa after their meeting in Ankara on 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 Governor 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 Sharaa, who was a commander of al Qaeda's Nusra Front in Syria before cutting ties with the group in 2016. He then led a coalition of Islamist rebel factions in late 2024 to topple Assad.

Trump has encouraged Sharaa's actions against the Islamic State militant group in the region. "He's respected by everybody, including me," Trump said.

This bold move by President Trump marks a dramatic shift in U.S. policy toward Syria, aiming to encourage reconstruction and economic reintegration after years of isolation and conflict. By removing Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list, the administration is signaling openness to investment and diplomatic engagement, even as questions remain about the new leadership's past ties to extremist groups.

The decision comes after Trump previously lifted sanctions, paving the way for Gulf states and private companies to pour billions into rebuilding efforts. For Syria, the move offers hope of ending its pariah status and attracting much-needed foreign capital.

Critics, however, may view it as premature given ongoing concerns about human rights and the stability of the post-Assad government. As Congress conducts its 45-day review, the long-term impact on regional dynamics and U.S. interests in the Middle East will be closely watched.