Syrian and Turkish officials are working to revive economic relations, announcing plans to increase annual bilateral trade to $5 billion within the next two years. The move was detailed at the Anadolu City Economies Summit in Gaziantep, where ministers from both countries met to map out a new phase of cross-border commerce and investment aimed at supporting Syria’s economic recovery.
Quick Facts
- Target: $5 billion in bilateral trade in two years.
- Goal: $10 billion in trade volume by 2030.
- Action: New customs gates planned along the border.
- Focus: Economic integration between Gaziantep and Aleppo.
Gaziantep Summit Sets Ambitious Trade Targets
Speaking at the summit, Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat confirmed the joint goal of significantly increasing trade flows. “We aim to increase our bilateral trade volume to $5 billion within two years – and to $10 billion by 2030,” Bolat stated.
The meeting, titled “New Horizons for Trade Between Turkey and Syria,” brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and chambers of commerce to discuss strengthening trade exchange and joint investments between Ankara and Damascus.
Expanding Cross-Border Infrastructure
To facilitate this growth, Bolat announced that preparations are underway to open new customs gates along the Türkiye-Syria border, including the long-awaited İslahiye crossing. He also noted that Turkish authorities are ready to reopen the route linking Türkiye’s southern city of Nusaybin with the Syrian city of Qamishli.
According to Bolat, modernized border infrastructure and faster transit procedures will be critical to facilitating trade and supporting Syria’s economic recovery after years of conflict. Turkey’s ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yilmaz, also spoke at the summit about renewed trade, logistics, and production relations between the two countries.
Syria Courts Turkish Investment
Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar described Türkiye as Syria’s “natural partner” and called for closer economic cooperation. He extended an invitation to Turkish companies to participate in Syrian infrastructure projects, adding that Damascus was streamlining trade and industrial regulations to attract greater foreign investment.
“We’re striving to establish strong and sustainable economic relations in Syria,” al-Shaar asserted, noting that Syria’s industrial sector was experiencing a revival with thousands of factories recently resuming operations.
A Platform for Aleppo-Gaziantep Cooperation
The summit placed a strong emphasis on the economic link between Gaziantep and Aleppo. Discussions examined the possibility of establishing specially designated production and trade zones between the two cities, which could enable investments to build an intermediate production system along the border.
A session featuring the heads of the Gaziantep and Aleppo Chambers of Industry and Commerce focused on the strategic importance of the Gaziantep-Aleppo line and the opportunities for cooperation between economic actors in both countries.
About the Anadolu City Economies Summit
The Anadolu City Economies Summit, held in Gaziantep, serves as a platform bringing together government officials and private sector representatives from Syria and Turkey. Organized by Anadolu Agency in cooperation with the Gaziantep Governorate and Metropolitan Municipality, the summit aims to discuss opportunities for economic and investment cooperation, with a particular focus on trade relations between Aleppo and Gaziantep and potential projects along the shared border.
Source: Enab Baladi
