Türkiye, Syria discuss $10B trade target in Damascus

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat arrived in Damascus on Wednesday with a business delegation to attend the 63rd Damascus International Fair, holding talks with Syrian officials on measures to reach a $10 billion bilateral trade volume target between Türkiye and Syria.

Customs and Transportation Cooperation

Bolat met with Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Nidal al-Shaar to evaluate cooperation on easing trade barriers, particularly regarding transportation logistics and customs gate procedures. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to implementing agreements reached during the Türkiye-Syria Joint Economic and Trade Commission meeting held in April, Bolat said on NSosyal, a Turkish social media platform.

Investment Zones and Reconstruction

The Turkish minister later held discussions with Ahmad Rawad Ramadan, the newly appointed head of the Syrian Investment Agency, regarding the investment interests of Turkish firms in Syria's reconstruction. The two sides evaluated steps to create a predictable investment environment and examined plans for organized industrial zone investments in the Syrian regions of Kamune and Saraqib, according to the ministry's social media post.

Bolat emphasized that Ramadan's deep understanding of the Turkish business world will accelerate investment relations between the two countries. Turkish businesspeople attending the meetings shared their expectations and long-term investment plans aimed at boosting production and employment across the region.