$10 Billion Target in Türkiye-Syria Trade
Organized in Damascus under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade and by the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), the Türkiye-Syria Trade Delegation and Bilateral Business Meetings brought together representatives of the business communities of both countries. President of the TİM Mustafa Gültepe highlighted the $10 billion target for trade volume between Türkiye and Syria, stating that the Turkish business community stands ready to serve as an investor and solution partner in Syria's reconstruction.
The Syria Trade Delegation program, organized in Damascus under the coordination of the Ministry of Trade and by the Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TİM), was held in Damascus.
The opening of the program was attended by Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, President of the TİM Mustafa Gültepe, Chairman of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce Alaa al-Ali, Vice Presidents of the TİM, members of the Board of Directors and Chairmen of Exporters Associations, the exporters' delegation, the Damascus Office of the Commercial Counsellor, and representatives of the Türkiye-Syria business communities.
As part of the program, Turkish exporters and Syrian businesspeople convened for bilateral business meetings, during which opportunities to further develop trade and investment relations between the two countries were explored.
“Trade is the most enduring bridge of brotherhood”
Speaking at the opening of the program, President of the TİM Mustafa Gültepe emphasized that relations between Türkiye and Syria are rooted in a deep and longstanding history.
Noting that the historical and cultural ties between the two countries also provide a strong foundation for trade, Gültepe said, “The bond between us dates back centuries. For generations, Damascus and Istanbul, Aleppo and Gaziantep were stops along the same caravan routes, the same marketplaces, and the same prosperous Silk Road. That ancient commercial memory forged by our forefathers in inns and caravanserais continues to guide us today. We are not writing a story from scratch. We are reviving the great commercial brotherhood entrusted to us by history with the dynamism of the modern era.”
“Trade is the most enduring bridge of brotherhood,” Gültepe said, underscoring the importance of strengthening cooperation between the business communities of the two countries on the basis of a win-win approach.
$10 billion target in trade
Stating that trade between Türkiye and Syria has gained momentum in recent years, Gültepe noted that bilateral trade volume reached $3.7 billion last year.
Gültepe stated that approximately 5,800 Turkish companies exported goods worth $3.5 billion to Syria and reported that exports increased by 16.5 percent to $2.1 billion in the first seven months of this year.
Emphasizing that they regard the current figures as a starting point rather than an outcome, Gültepe said, “As the export community, we believe we can accomplish far more. With the steps to be taken on the issues awaiting resolution, our trade volume will expand, paving the way for us to achieve our $10 billion target.”
“We see Syria as an important trade bridge”
Underlining that Syria is not merely an export market for Türkiye, Gültepe stated that the country serves as an important trade bridge connecting Türkiye with the Gulf region.
Noting that Syria's reconstruction process presents significant opportunities across numerous sectors, Gültepe said that demand has emerged across a broad range of products, from cement and glass to furniture, machinery, chemicals and electrical products.
Emphasizing the importance they attach to the mutual development of trade, Gültepe also drew attention to rising imports of textile raw materials, olive oil and agricultural products from Syria, saying, “We do not seek one-sided sales; we seek mutual prosperity. Let Syria produce, let Syria prosper, and let us grow together.”
“We are ready to be a solution partner in Syria's reconstruction”
Stating that tangible steps are also being taken in the field of investment, Gültepe said that joint industrial zones in the border region are on the agenda and that efforts are continuing to enable Turkish banks to open branches in Syria.
Emphasizing that customs procedures and transit crossings need to be facilitated to accelerate the development of trade, Gültepe pointed to the importance of increasing the capacity of border gates and ensuring uniformity in regulations and documentation practices.
Noting that customs procedures for partial shipments should be made more predictable, particularly for SMEs, Gültepe stated that updating the Free Trade Agreement, which was suspended in 2011, in line with the requirements of the new era would also make a significant contribution to bilateral trade.
Gültepe also emphasized the need to introduce new-generation mechanisms to eliminate financial barriers, saying, “As the Turkish business community, we are ready to serve as an investor and solution partner in Syria's reconstruction.”
Noting that every step taken during the bilateral business meetings would translate into production, employment and new opportunities in both countries, Gültepe invited representatives of the Syrian business community to the Türkiye-Arab Countries Business Summit and Buyer Delegation Program, which will be held in Istanbul on December 10-11.