Visa announced that it had successfully tested a live international card transaction in Syria, while President Ahmad al-Sharaa made an electronic payment with a Visa card in Damascus during the same period.
President of the Central Bank of Syria Safwat Raslan was also present when the payment was made at a restaurant in the Old City of Damascus on Wednesday. Visa said on Thursday that the test was an important step toward establishing the infrastructure needed to enable international visitors to use Visa cards in the country.
Transaction conducted with the central bank and partners
The company said it carried out the live transaction together with the Central Bank of Syria and its partners Fransabank and Paymera. According to Visa, the step supports Syria’s efforts to expand its digital payment capacity and strengthen its connection to the global digital economy.
The development came as Syria sought to rebuild its economy and reconnect with international markets following the lifting of sanctions.
Shara hopes to restore Syria’s role as an economic hub
Speaking at the opening of the 63rd Damascus International Fair on Wednesday, Ahmad al-Sharaa said that Syria had entered a new phase of reconstruction and development following the lifting of sanctions.
Sharaa said he hoped Syria would restore its role as a bridge between markets, a trade corridor and an economic hub connecting East and West.
Syria removed from the list
The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Monday that it had removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. The department said the decision fulfilled the Trump administration’s commitments to easing sanctions.
Syria had been on the list since 1979.
