Ala al-Ali, president of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce, called on Turkish businesspeople to undertake joint investments and production projects in Syria at the Syria-Türkiye Economic Forum in Damascus.
Ali said economic relations between the two countries should not be limited to increasing trade volume and should be taken to a new stage.
Key sectors for investment
Ali said the strength of the Turkish private sector in industry, construction and investment, along with the geographical and economic proximity between the two countries, offered significant partnership opportunities. He added that Syria needed wide-ranging investments.
Ali listed industry, energy, infrastructure, real estate, tourism, agriculture and services as the main sectors seeking investment. Saying that the Turkish business community could make significant contributions to these sectors, Ali said, "We do not want Syria to be only a market for you; we want it to be a common market."
Ali said the economic potential of the two countries should be utilized through investment, production and joint projects, adding that they aimed to turn Syria into a field for partnership, investment and production for Turkish companies.
$10 billion target for trade volume
Ruad Ramadan, director general of the Syrian Investment Agency, said the two countries aimed to increase their trade volume from approximately $3.7 billion to $10 billion.
Ramadan said reaching this target would require developing trade, encouraging investments and joint projects, strengthening industrial cooperation, and increasing direct communication between companies and businesspeople in the two countries.
Ramadan said Syria offered broad investment opportunities, adding that Türkiye's experience in industry, technology, trade and logistics services created important partnership opportunities for developing the Syrian economy and strengthening its production capacity.
Ramadan said he hoped the forum would be a practical step toward joint projects and investments, emphasizing that the private sector should play a greater role in developing economic relations between the two countries.
Turkish delegation to hold talks in Damascus
The Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce said it was ready to develop economic relations with its partners in Türkiye on the basis of trust and mutual interests. The federation aims to establish economic partnerships that will draw on the opportunities available in both countries.
Türkiye's Trade Minister Ömer Bolat is visiting Syria with a delegation of Turkish businesspeople. As part of a program coordinated by the Ministry of Trade and organized by the Turkish Exporters Assembly, a roundtable meeting will be held with Turkish and Syrian businesspeople.
Bolat is also scheduled to attend the opening of the Damascus International Fair and visit its stands.
Damascus International Fair to open on August 26
The fairgrounds in Damascus are preparing to host the 63rd Damascus International Fair, which is expected to draw 1,000 organizations from approximately 60 countries. The fair is scheduled to begin on August 26.
Described as one of Syria's leading economic events, the Damascus International Fair aims to strengthen trade and investment ties between local and international companies.
