Turkish companies seek to rebuild the Syrian economy with ambitious plans
During a visit to Türkiye, Syrian interim President Ahmad al Sharaa discussed strengthening economic relations between Damascus and Ankara, amid aspirations from Turkish companies, especially in the transportation and industrial sectors, for major expansions in Syria.
These moves are expected to contribute to doubling the volume of trade exchange between the two countries.
Data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly indicated a 20% increase in Turkish exports to Syria last December, and a more than 38% increase in January 2025.
Turkish company heads and business associations are working to develop new shipping routes and develop investment plans to increase production capacity in war-torn Syria.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his meeting with al Sharaa will discuss joint measures to rebuild the Syrian economy.
Türkiye has supported the opposition during the 13-year Syrian war, and the visit marks al Sharaa’s second foreign stop after Saudi Arabia since taking office.
The numbers reflect the urgent need for Syria’s reconstruction; Turkish equipment exports to Damascus rose 244% last month, while exports of cement, glass and ceramics grew 92%, metals 73% and fruit and vegetable exports more than tripled.
Bilgehan Engin, head of the Turkish Shipping and Logistics Association, said exports could have exceeded $6 billion had it not been for the effects of the conflict in Syria over the past years.
However, he expects that figure to reach that figure within two to five years.
According to official data, Turkish exports to Syria amounted to $2.2 billion last year, while imports from Syria amounted to $437 million.
Trade currently passes through a buffer zone at the Bab al Hawa border crossing, where Turkish goods are transferred to Syrian trucks due to security concerns, increasing costs and shipping times.
Engin noted that eliminating the buffer zone and allowing Turkish trucks to move freely within Syria could significantly boost trade between the two countries.
The Turkish Ministry of Trade announced last month an agreement between Damascus and Ankara to begin talks aimed at reviving the free trade agreement and boosting cooperation in the fields of transportation, contracting and investment.
According to the head of the Turkish-Syrian Business Council, İbrahim Özçörekçi, said Türkiye aims to raise the volume of trade exchange to $10 billion in the medium term.
It’s worth noting, that the Turkish Airlines was one of the few airlines to resume flights to Damascus after a 13-year hiatus.
