Coordinator of the Network of Economists and Businessmen in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Abdel Nasser Hasso, presented the network’s work report to the General Assembly during its 69th regular meeting at the office of the Syrian Interim Government in Aleppo province on Thursday.
Hasso conducted an in-depth analysis of the economic conditions affecting Syrians in both liberated areas and in Turkey. He addressed the challenging economic situation facing the Turkish economy and its repercussions on Syrian refugees, highlighting the obstacles and opportunities confronting businesses in liberated zones.
Listing major issues encountered by economists and businessmen in these areas, Hasso highlighted concerns such as the absence of labor laws and property protection, the failure to grant industrial and commercial licenses, and certificates of origin. He also noted challenges related to the lack of customs protection for local goods, difficulties in obtaining export and import permits, and the high costs associated with registration fees, records, electricity, and negative imports.
The report provided an overview of the economic situation in liberated areas through an analysis of import and export figures. Hasso emphasized that assessing the volume of movement at commercial border crossings has become the accepted method for gauging the size of the economy in these regions.
Hasso asserted that the liberated areas in northern Syria and the border crossings with Türkiye have experienced commercial prosperity due to sanctions imposed on the regime, proximity to European markets, and the activity of humanitarian organizations providing support. Citing data from the Turkish Ministry of Trade in 2022, he highlighted that the value of imports from the border crossings with Türkiye reached $2.234 trillion, constituting 44% of Syria’s total import volume. Meanwhile, the value of exports to Türkiye amounted to $234.132 million, representing 23% of Syria’s total export volume.
Additionally, Hasso outlined plans to launch the Network of Syrian Economists and Businessmen, aiming to enhance relations between SOC’s executive institutions and Turkish government bodies, as well as with businessmen and tradespeople. The network intends to propose solutions to existing economic problems and guide efforts towards developing an effective, sustainable economic policy.
Highlighting the importance of forming a working group of economists and businessmen, Hasso emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to address economic challenges in collaboration with the network’s partners. The group aims to provide recommendations for adopting policies that support the economic endeavors of Syrians.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
