The steps to strengthen the trade partnership between the two countries were discussed at the Türkiye-Syria Trade Delegation and Bilateral Business Meetings program held in Damascus. Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said it was important to establish the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) between Türkiye and Syria, modernize and expand customs gates, and rapidly increase trade volume.
Two hundred business representatives from the two countries attended the roundtable organized by the Turkish Exporters Assembly under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade. Bolat assessed investment and economic partnership opportunities, as well as trade relations between Türkiye and Syria, during the meeting.
Transit links and economic partnership
Bolat said it was necessary to launch a transit corridor connecting Türkiye and Syria with the Middle East and the Persian Gulf countries. Bolat said the economic partnership between the two countries needed to be strengthened and that coordination was continuing in the areas of politics, diplomacy, defense, the economy, transport, energy, trade, investment and construction.
Bolat said the parties had established the necessary legal mechanisms and legal infrastructure, adding that the areas open to economic cooperation were expanding.
Investment plan for Syria’s reconstruction
Bolat said 20 months had passed since the revolution began in Syria and that the country had made significant progress in the political sphere, internal security, national unity and territorial integrity. Bolat said these developments would also be reflected in the economy, adding that the lifting of the embargo and unity in the political sphere would have a positive effect.
Bolat said investment cooperation and partnership initiatives would receive greater emphasis in the coming period, adding that work would be carried out for Syria’s reconstruction and rebuilding. He said investments would be made in the energy sector and that significant progress would also be achieved in the services sector.
Bolat said a major effort lay ahead to eliminate the consequences of 14 years of destruction and heal the wounds. He said Türkiye and the Turkish people were working for Syria’s unity, territorial integrity and prosperity, and listened to the requests and problems of business representatives from both countries at the end of the meeting.
