Türkiye is preparing to make a major shift in its trade and investment relations with Syria, according to Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat. Speaking at the Türkiye Exporters Assembly meeting on Friday, Bolat emphasized that this new phase would focus on trade, investments, and the reconstruction of Syria.
Bolat pointed out that Türkiye’s trade with Syria peaked at $1.8 billion in exports and $660 million in imports in 2011, before the onset of the Syrian civil war.
By 2024, exports from Türkiye to Syria reached $2.2 billion, while imports from Syria dropped to $438 million.
“The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Türkiye and Syria was signed in 2007 but was suspended after the conflict began in Syria in 2011,” Bolat explained.
“Now, in the new period, we are completing our preparations for both the Free Trade Agreement and customs regimes in collaboration with Syrian authorities. Our aim is to maximize trade and investment relations to strengthen Syria,” he revealed.
Bolat also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand Türkiye’s Free Trade Agreement with Palestine. The expansion includes concessions on 41 agricultural products and a significant increase in the dates quota, which has grown from 1,000 tons to 7,000 tons.
This ambitious approach to strengthening Türkiye’s trade ties with both Syria and Palestine reflects a broader strategy to boost economic growth and regional stability.
Türkiye to import pistachio from Syria
Meanwhile, according to official sources speaking to Türkiye’s state-run news agency Anadolu, Trade Ministry initiated efforts to pave the way for pistachio imports from Syria as rising prices with the Dubai chocolate trend challenge domestic supply.
In response to significantly increased demand for pistachios, driving up prices with the growing global popularity of Dubai chocolate, Türkiye’s trade ministry has reportedly begun exploring avenues to facilitate imports from the neighboring country.
Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s regime leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s rule, which had been in power since 1963. The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.
A transitional administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has now taken charge.
