Trade Minister Bolat met with Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Nidal Şaar in Istanbul. During the meeting, the current status of trade and economic relations between the two countries and opportunities for cooperation were comprehensively discussed.
Following the bilateral meeting, the first meeting of the Turkey-Syria Interim Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) was held, attended by Trade Minister Bolat and Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Şaar, as well as delegations and representatives of the business community of both countries.
In his statement after the meeting, Bolat noted that today they witnessed a historic turning point in economic and trade relations between Turkey and Syria, and said that they concluded the first meeting of JETCO, which they signed in Ankara on August 5, 2025, in Istanbul today on the axis of great success and mutual trust.
Bolat stressed that the signed protocol is not just a technical text but a comprehensive roadmap for economic integration, regional development and reconstruction process between the two neighboring and brotherly countries, explaining that this process was carried out in the spirit of sincere cooperation, reflecting the deep-rooted historical ties and fraternal solidarity between the two countries.
Stating that during the meetings they reaffirmed their determination to increase bilateral trade to a balanced and sustainable volume for the mutual benefit of both nations, Bolat continued as follows:
“We discussed all kinds of solutions and mechanisms that will increase our bilateral trade, which reached $3.7 billion last year, including the free trade agreement, to $5 billion and then to $10 billion. While we decided to deepen our cooperation in strategic sectors such as textiles, agriculture, food and machinery, we agreed to mutually exchange information on regulatory frameworks to ensure predictability in agricultural trade, which will bring together the leading companies and investors of both countries. We are very pleased to have you to bring together.
“It is crucial for the stability of the regional supply chain that our customs gates are operating at full capacity.”
Minister Bolat addressed the recent problems and hot wars in the region and the world, noting that they attach great importance to the uninterrupted and diverse alternatives of foreign trade, which plays an important role in the growth and development of Türkiye.
Pointing out that customs gates were one of the important points of the discussions they held with his Syrian counterpart in this context, Bolat said: “They are crucial for the full capacity of our customs gates, the uninterrupted operation of logistics lines and the stability of the regional supply chain. It is of great importance that the transit corridors including Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq function quickly and effectively to meet the supply needs of the Middle East and the Gulf States under the war uninterrupted and urgently to cover.” “As governments of both parties, we attach great importance to the effective and rapid operation of transport corridors and transit trade corridors from Turkey to Syria, from there to Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well as to Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.”
Recalling that they signed an agreement to establish a Joint Customs Committee between the Ministry of Commerce and the Syrian Border and Customs Ministry, Bolat stated that they completed the approval process on the Turkish side on March 27.
Bolat said: “Therefore, we will work closely to make customs crossings fully operational, reduce transfer requirements and develop direct delivery mechanisms.” he said.
“Syria's reconstruction process is one of the highest priority agenda items for the Turkish business community”
Minister Bolat said that ensuring the unity and integrity of Syria, accelerating the economic recovery and reconstruction process are among the top priority agenda items for the Turkish business community.
Bolat stated that they agreed to actively use the global experience and technical capacity of Turkish contractors in housing, infrastructure, energy and transportation projects in Syria in the Syria reconstruction process.
Bolat stated that they hope to sign a memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Syria in the near future, which will increase cooperation in both procurement and technical advisory services:
“We appreciate and welcome the positive and successful steps taken by the Syrian side to improve the investment climate and simplify administrative procedures in a short time. Finally, we are ready to expand our cooperation to wide areas such as energy in the field of oil and natural gas production, mining, education and health cooperation, with the aim of establishing the Turkey-Syria Friendship University. We will develop joint projects on the reconstruction and integration of power grids in Syria, investments in renewable energy and the search for critical minerals such as phosphate, which are used for Fertilizer production is crucial.”
We sincerely support efforts to reintegrate Syria into the global financial system and strengthen payment infrastructures, and cooperation between the Central Bank of Syria and institutions such as the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey and the BRSA is gradually gaining momentum in this regard. The President of the Central Bank of Syria, who is with us, will hold meetings with the officials of our two institutions today and tomorrow. We believe that the presence of Turkish banks in Syria will further strengthen our investment and trade relations. The minutes of the first JETCO meeting that we signed today are a declaration that our relations are now established on an institutional basis in the field of trade. “We have agreed with my esteemed counterpart to hold the next JETCO meeting in Damascus.”
“We want economic cooperation between Syria and Turkey to be qualified”
Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Nidal Shaar stated that cooperation with Türkiye began on good ground and in a good area and that cooperation in the economic, cultural and social fields will continue.
Stating that they have started cooperation on a new basis that will benefit both countries, Şaar said: “We are now putting this cooperation on a very strong foundation. We are determined to make the most of all economic opportunities for both countries.” he commented.
Pointing out that Turkey and Syria have special relations, Şaar said: “We will also have the opportunity to expand them. There are serious projects. Of course, there is the possibility of expansion rather than economic cooperation. We have taken this path,” the statement made.
Explaining that the work on the planned industrial zone in Aleppo is continuing by the industrialists, Şaar said: “This will have a direct impact on other projects and the business environment. We want the economic cooperation between Syria and Turkey to be qualified.” He concluded his words by saying:
On the other hand, during the Turkish-Syrian JETCO meeting in the first semester, a cooperation agreement was signed between the two countries in the areas of “product safety and inspection”, “technical regulations”, “standardization”, “compliance” and “measurement technology”.
Bir yanıt yazın