Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat arrived in Damascus with a business delegation on Wednesday for the 63rd Damascus International Fair, meeting with Nidal al-Shaar, the Syrian economy and industry minister, to discuss steps to reach a $10 billion bilateral trade volume target.
The officials evaluated cooperation to ease trade, particularly regarding transportation and customs gates, alongside the potential role of the Turkish private sector in the reconstruction of Syria, Bolat said on Turkish social media platform NSosyal on Wednesday.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the agreements reached during April’s Türkiye-Syria Joint Economic and Trade Commission meeting.
Bolat later met with Ahmad Rawad Ramadan, the newly appointed head of the Syrian Investment Agency, to discuss the investment interests of Turkish firms.
The two sides evaluated steps to create a predictable investment environment and planned organized industrial zone investments in the Syrian regions of Kamune and Saraqib.
Bolat stressed that Ramadan’s deep understanding of the Turkish business world will accelerate investment relations between Türkiye and Syria.
Turkish businesspeople attending the meeting also shared their expectations and long-term investment plans to boost production and employment in the region.
Bolat also attended a roundtable meeting with Ramadan and Turkish and Syrian businesspeople, discussing ways to expand trade and investment, facilitate logistics and border crossings, and develop direct transportation links.
He said bilateral trade last year reached $3.7 billion, adding that the two countries are determined to maintain momentum toward their $10 billion target.
Bolat said Türkiye’s contracting sector is ready to contribute to Syria’s reconstruction in areas including housing, infrastructure, transportation, and technical consultancy.
Türkiye ranks second globally with 45 companies among the world’s largest international contractors, he noted.
The meeting also addressed legal, administrative, financial, and logistical challenges facing businesses, with Bolat pledging to follow up on their proposals and help turn the talks into joint investments and lasting economic partnerships.
