Report: International Monetary Fund mission will visit Syria this week
An International Monetary Fund delegation will travel to Syria in the coming days to closely assess the financial and economic situation, according to statements by Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department.
This visit comes amid growing international efforts to support the reconstruction of the Syrian economy after years of conflict and isolation, particularly after the US Treasury Department recently announced the lifting of some sanctions imposed on Syria.
The mission focuses on assessing the needs of Syrian government institutions and developing a comprehensive cooperation plan that includes providing advice and technical support, as well as training key personnel.
The assessment will include key institutions such as the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance, and statistical agencies, with the aim of understanding their reality and determining the type of support required.
It’s worth noting that the International Monetary Fund appointed economist Ron van Ruden as head of its mission to Syria in April 2025, marking the Fund’s first visit since the outbreak of the crisis in the country.
This coincides with statements by Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF’s Managing Director, who confirmed last February the Fund’s readiness to support Syria.
She noted that communication between IMF staff and Syrian officials had resumed after a 16-year hiatus, which will help fill information gaps regarding the Syrian economy.
Separately, the US Treasury Department issued a decision on Friday to ease sanctions on Syria, reflecting the Trump administration’s policy of suspending sanctions, with 180-day waivers under the Caesar Act.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control also issued a general license (No. 25) permitting previously prohibited transactions, paving the way for a gradual lifting of sanctions on Syria.
