The Syrian government kicked off the 2026 E-Commerce Forum in the capital Damascus, aiming to bring about a structural transformation in the national economy. The event drew numerous ministers, ministry representatives, chambers of commerce, business figures, and technology companies.
Communication and Technology Minister Abdul Salam Haykal, in his opening speech, described e-commerce as a strategic opportunity. Haykal said building the digital economy is a key pillar for strengthening e-commerce and opening new horizons for development. The minister drew attention to the ability of Syrians to turn difficult circumstances into opportunities, while also noting challenges such as limited internet coverage and weak electronic payment systems. He announced that the government is working on amending the financial transactions law and the electronic crimes law to stimulate the sector's growth.
A new platform for the economy
Finance Minister Mohammed Yusr Barniyeh, for his part, stated that e-commerce would bring about a qualitative transformation in the Syrian economy and offer vast opportunities to the private sector. Barniyeh said the government is working to turn e-commerce from merely a channel that increases imports into a platform that promotes the export of Syrian goods and services. The minister noted that Syria has great opportunities and creative capacity to benefit from this sector, calling for initiative to be taken without waiting for ideal conditions.
The forum aims to support the sector's growth by strengthening collaboration among digital platforms, applications, stakeholders, and decision-makers in the e-commerce ecosystem. As part of the event, the '500 Digital Traders' initiative was launched, which supports traders with electronic payment systems, logistics services, training, and consulting programs. The initiative aims to accelerate their digital transformation journeys.
