Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech at the event, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that the company BOMACO was established through a collaboration between the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development, TOBB, and Customs and Tourism Enterprises Inc. Explaining that the company has an international investment and consulting mandate aimed at developing border management, customs gate modernization, free trade zones, and international logistics infrastructure, Hisarcıklıoğlu said the goal is to contribute to the development of trade and connectivity among member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Noting that the customs checkpoint modernization successfully implemented in Türkiye has served as a model, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they maintained close contact and collaborated on this matter with the Syrian Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Damascus, Aleppo, and Idlib throughout the process.

- “Türkiye is one of Syria’s most important trading partners”

Hisarcıklıoğlu, noting that Syria has taken significant steps toward reintegrating into the global economy, said: “The lasting reconstruction of a country begins with production. Without production, there can be no employment; without employment, there can be no wealth; and without prosperity, lasting stability cannot be achieved. The private sector will play a decisive role in the economic recovery and reconstruction process. We share a 911-kilometer border. Türkiye has always been one of Syria’s most important trading partners. There are more than 30,000 Syrian-owned businesses operating in Türkiye. Our brothers and sisters have formed a natural bridge between the economies of the two countries.”

Noting that approximately 6,000 of these companies operate in the manufacturing sector, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that these entrepreneurs have a deep understanding of both the Turkish and Syrian markets.

- “Trade is the strongest guarantee of peace”

Emphasizing that Türkiye has a successful model in its industrialization story, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated, “This model is the Organized Industrial Zones. Türkiye did not achieve its industrialization by simultaneously extending infrastructure to every corner of the country. Instead, it first established secure, planned, and robust production centers in specific regions. It brought together electricity, water, natural gas, logistics, banking, education, and public services in one place. This instilled confidence in investors,” he said.

Emphasizing that this model is the cornerstone of Türkiye’s industrial transformation, Hisarcıklıoğlu said they wanted to share this experience with Syria and that it was possible to establish an organized industrial zone in Syria that is secure, has a complete infrastructure, and inspires confidence in investors.

Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that they are open to sharing knowledge and experience on issues such as strengthening the chamber of commerce system in Syria and improving the investment climate, adding, “A strong private sector develops alongside strong institutions. Strong institutions, in turn, are the foundation of sustainable development. “In addition, restoring the banking system to full functionality, strengthening the logistics infrastructure, streamlining customs procedures, and expediting border crossings are also of great importance. Because we believe that trade is the strongest guarantee of peace. As Türkiye and Syria prosper together, our region will prosper as well,” he said.

- Minister Bolat

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat also noted that the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) and Customs and Tourism Enterprises Inc. have carried out highly successful projects over the past 22 years in Türkiye to modernize and expand 20 customs checkpoints under the build-operate-transfer model.

Emphasizing that despite the very short time that has passed since the revolution in Syria, the country has made significant progress toward a new, strong, stable, and unified system of governance, Bolat announced that the government would continue to provide support to help Syria make further progress.

Bolat also noted that they are continuing to work toward achieving the $10 billion foreign trade target set by the leaders of both countries, saying: “Last year alone, our bilateral trade increased by over 40 percent, reaching approximately $3.75 billion. We are determined to build on these figures. For this to happen, production and investment must be increased in both countries. The land border crossings and maritime transport routes that serve as trade corridors need to be strengthened, expanded, and modernized.”

- The goal is to open the Nusaybin-Kamışlı Customs Gate by the end of the year

Bolat, noting that trade and passenger traffic continue uninterrupted at the two countries’ border crossings, stated that they are accelerating efforts to open the Nusaybin-Kamışlı Border Crossing, located at the easternmost point of the border, to trade, passenger, and transit traffic by the end of the year.

Bolat, emphasizing that the active commencement of transit trade between Türkiye and Syria starting in April also represents a positive development for trade with Gulf countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain, made the following assessment: “In light of the war in the Gulf and the frequent closures of the Strait of Hormuz, disruptions in global energy supply lines and the supply of critical petrochemical products, as well as logistical and supply chain challenges, have demonstrated a significant need to expand, enhance, and construct new land transport corridors as well as oil and natural gas corridors from Türkiye and through Syria to Jordan, Iraq, and other Gulf countries.”

Bolat stated that the governments of both countries have made positive strides in accelerating transit trade with Gulf countries. Recalling that transit trade via Saudi Arabia, which had been suspended for approximately 14 years, and transit trade via Syria-Jordan have been taking place regularly since April 15, Bolat noted that the Joint Customs Committee and JETCO were established last year between Türkiye and Syria, and that the International Damascus Fair will be held with broad participation at the end of next month.

- “Our goal is to establish an integrated system between Türkiye and Syria”

Bedevi, Head of the General Directorate of Syrian Border Crossings and Customs, said that Syria has entered a process of recovery and reconstruction, and that they will not forget the support Türkiye has provided to millions of Syrians.

Noting that they aim to take this relationship from a phase of support and solidarity to a phase of full partnership in production, development, and investment, Bedevi emphasized that the Free Zone Project implemented in Idlib is a unique initiative.

Highlighting that the “Idlib Free Trade Zone” and “Sarakib Dry Port and Industrial Zone” projects represent a strategic achievement, Bedevi noted: “This project will serve as an integrated hub for industry, trade, and logistics services. We invite Turkish companies and investors to take their place at this strategic location and become partners in Syria’s new economic success story. “We are offering our investors a comprehensive incentive package that includes tax, financial, and customs exemptions. We are also providing full freedom for free warehousing, re-export, and industrial activities. Our goal is not only to increase trade volume but also to establish an integrated system encompassing production and supply chains between Türkiye and Syria.”

- “The revival of the Hejaz Railway is of vital importance to the region”

Yusuf Hasan Khalawi, Secretary-General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (ICCIA), also pointed to the cooperation protocols signed between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, stating that the revival of the historic Hejaz Railway is of vital importance for regional trade.

Recalling the line’s goal of providing uninterrupted transportation from İstanbul to Medina, Khalawi said, “We hope that the remaining sections of the line will be completed as soon as possible.”

Khalawi highlighted the importance of the meeting for both countries and expressed his hope that the talks would yield positive results for Türkiye and Syria.

(A.A.)