Türkiye targets $10B trade with Syria, new customs gates
Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced plans to boost bilateral trade with Syria to $10 billion by the early 2030s and open new customs crossings, as officials gathered in Gaziantep for a summit aimed at deepening economic integration between the two nations.
Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced ambitious plans to increase bilateral trade with Syria to $10 billion annually by the early 2030s during the Citi Economies Summit in Gaziantep on Tuesday, outlining proposals for new customs gates and deeper banking cooperation as Ankara prioritizes economic reconstruction following Damascus's political transition.
Customs gates and trade targets
Speaking at the summit organized by Anadolu Agency in cooperation with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, Bolat stated that the two nations aim to reach $5 billion in annual trade within two years. "We are fully prepared for the opening of the Islahiye Customs Gate," the minister said, adding that officials also informed Syrian counterparts about readiness to open the Nusaybin-Qamishli crossing.
Banking cooperation and visa facilitation
Bolat noted that Turkish banks have reached agreements to open branches in Syria while central banks continue negotiations, emphasizing Ankara's strong support for Damascus in efforts to lift US and European Union embargoes. Turkish officials have also begun working with immigration authorities to facilitate visa processes for Syrians making definitive returns to their homeland, prioritizing the protection of Syria's territorial integrity and national unity following the political transition of December 8, 2024.
Strategic corridor and regional investment
Turkish Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yilmaz described Syria as a strategic logistics corridor connecting Türkiye to Middle East and Gulf markets, advising investors to establish long-term partnerships in the Aleppo-Idlib region due to stable energy supplies and skilled workforces. Gaziantep Mayor Fatma Sahin called for revitalizing historical logistics networks between the cities, while Governor Kemal Ceber predicted the border area would soon become the new economic hub of Türkiye. Gaziantep exported $900 million worth of goods to Syria last year and reached $350 million in the first five months of this year.
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