Investing in the industrial and commercial infrastructure and the Syrian health, energy and communications sectors has taken the attention of the Turkish -Syrian Economic Cooperation Forum, which was called by the International Business Forum, the Moussad Association for Turkish businessmen and industrialists, and the Businessmen for Syria Association, on February 4, in the city Gaziantep in the south of the country.
The forum discussed the presence of more than 1500 businessmen and dozens of companies from the two countries how to contribute to supporting the Syrian economy, and re -renewing the industrial and commercial infrastructure in cities and regions affected by the war, in addition to the potential challenges in this regard.
In a speech to the forum, Turkish Minister of Trade Omar Balla expressed the desire of the Turkish government to strengthen its economic partnership with Syria, to serve the interests of the two countries, pointing to the existence of coordination with Syrian officials at various levels, to help build a new free Syria and achieve economic cooperation Strong, according to the principle of common profit.
Impressive
During the past two decades of the deposed rule of Bashar al -Assad, Syria has been exposed to great losses due to the war, according to the World Bank’s assessments, in which the Syrian economy has lost the ability to continue its role in development, as a result of the departure of its producing sectors, the damage of the basic services sector, and the destruction of the environment Urban in large areas of the country.
The United Nations estimates the losses that the country suffered at about 442 billion dollars, in addition to the damage of 7 of the most intense capital sectors, namely housing, mining, transportation, security, manufacturing, electricity and health.
While the value of the material destruction of the capital was about 117.7 billion dollars, as for the losses of GDP, it amounted to about 324.5 billion dollars.
A turbulent economic vision
Syrian businessman Suleiman Abu Alwi believes that the vision of the Baath for the Syrian economy, since the beginning of the rule of the Assad family, and the turmoil of its system, has turned the country into an environment that repels foreign investment, as well as the absence of governance, transparency and law enforcement – according to his statement to Al -Jazeera Net – without attracting a new foreign capital, Although Syria has a diverse investment map, the esoteric wealth represents the most important aspect.
According to the data of the Syrian Investment Authority, which is a governmental institution, the number of foreign investment projects in 2010 reached about 41 projects, estimated at about 200 million dollars. Türkiye’s share of which reached 9 projects, followed by Lebanon with 5 projects, then Kuwait, the Emirates and Britain.
The data indicated that the flow of foreign investment, during the war years, especially in 2018, when it decreased by 37.5% from 2017 to reach about 54 million dollars, compared to 72 million dollars in the previous year.
The data stated that the number of foreign projects attracted between 2017 and 2019 amounted to only 20 projects, most of which are joint projects.
A working stage according to modern concepts
The overall losses of Syria in light of the resurrection of the Baath, according to the President of the Businessmen Association for Syria, Yamen Al -Shami, reflected repercussions that have mainly affected the direct investment sector, which – according to his opinion – is one of the most important outlets of the economy, because of its effective role in development Economic and social.
He explained – in his interview with Al -Jazeera Net – that Syria was lacking in the appropriate climate to attract foreign direct investment, and to the business environment, as well as the lack of economic policy of incentives that would encourage the flow of foreign capital. He considered the new stage a working stage, which puts on businessmen a historical trust, in order for everyone to contribute to building the future and restoring the civilizational face of Syria, according to modern foundations and concepts that rise in the country.
Al -Shami added, “Therefore, we focused during the forum on approaches and work strategies, related to commercial, financial and human resources, and practical proposals and solutions, which help to restore the industrial infrastructure and the commercial environment, benefiting from Turkey’s experiences and international reputation in the field of banking, financial and industrial and productive services.”
Strategic relations
The convening of the forum comes at a time when the Syrian -Syrian relations have witnessed a remarkable development since the fall of Assad.
Turkish businessman Murad Yilmaz responded to this development to harmony with the positions of the two countries at various levels, along with political and humanitarian factors, including:
- Türkiye embraces more than 3 million refugees, after their towns and homes were bombed by aircraft and tanks of the regime, while securing full care for them at the level of health and education.
- Her support for the Syrian opposition to Assad throughout the 13 -year war.
- Syrian President Ahmed Al -Shara and his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in early February, as the visit was crowned with a long -term alliance and a deep strategic partnership.
In his talk to Al -Jazeera Net, Yilmaz summarized Türkiye’s strategy towards Syria, considering that it is based on 3 axes:
- Reducing the effects of the humanitarian and economic crisis as possible that the Syrian people suffer.
- Support the new leadership orientations and development policies.
- Intensifying the diplomatic effort, to mobilize international support in order to lift the sanctions imposed by the West on the Assad regime, and to support the reconstruction process.
For his part, the head of the Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists Association, Mahmoud Asmali, stressed that the meeting of the forum came in order for free Syria to be able to get on its feet, start its new journey with strong steps, and look at the future with hope.
He expressed – in a speech to businessmen – his confidence that the forum’s outputs will strengthen Turkey’s strategies and activities for development in Syria, “where we are walking together side by side, for a stronger future, more freedom and prosperity.”
An active Turkish pivotal role
The researcher in the Turkish Studies Studies Program links the Shaf Center for the analysis of future crises and studies, Amani Al -Sarouji, between the forum as a strategic platform, aiming to support efforts to reconstruct Syria and enhance economic partnerships between businessmen from both sides, and between Turkey’s aspiration for a pivotal role in rebuilding Syria, not Only through economic support and infrastructure, but also within a broader strategy to enhance regional stability.
In this context, you see that Ankara seeks to confirm its location as an essential actor in reconstruction, benefiting from its geographical and historical ties with Syria, and honored efforts towards constructive partnerships, contributing to the formation of an economic future that achieves a balance between sustainability and mutual interests.
According to the facts, Türkiye is currently focusing mainly on achieving peace and stability in Syria mainly, and filling all the gaps that may endanger the Syrian territory, especially from preventing the establishment of an independent Kurdish entity, within the framework of a long -term vision.
Al -Sarouji sees Ankara’s interest in the reconstruction file an essential step to enhance its existence and achieve its economic interests, and to reduce the pressure of refugees on its local societies, as it will secure its participation in the reconstruction of the favorable conditions to return them to their homeland in an organized and safe way.
Glaming trade and investment
Meanwhile, trade between the two countries witnessed a great leap in recent weeks, as the volume of monthly exports exceeded unprecedented levels, after the Turkish Ministry of Trade announced its cancellation of restrictions that it had imposed on Syria during the era of the ousted regime.
Turkish Trade Minister Omar Balla said that his country is preparing to activate the free trade agreement between the two countries – which was suspended in December 2011 due to Assad’s crimes against his people – and to make customs reforms, in cooperation with the new government, to maximize trade and investment and support strong Syria.
Syria ranked third, after Iraq and the United States, on the list of Gaziantep exports, according to the data of the Exporters Association in southeast Anatolia, where the value of what it imported reached 481.5 million dollars. Gaziantep is the driving city of the southern Turkish regions, as it accounts for 81% of Southeast Anatolia’s exports to Syria.
The head of the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce, Mohamed Tonghay Yildirim, expressed his hope that the overthrow of the Assad regime will ensure the security of the wild export route, which was taken by Turkish transport buses across Syria – in the pre -war period – towards the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia.
He added – in a press statement prior to the meeting – that “it is very important for us that the Syrian line to pass the transit through one customs, because reactivating it will reduce the logistical costs of exporters, and will have a positive impact on their competitiveness.”
Official data shows the increase in Turkish equipment exports to Syria in the recent period, by 244%, while cement, glass and ceramic exports jumped to 92%, and mineral exports increased by about 73%, while fruit and vegetable exports increased for more than 3 times.
