Syria Moves to Facilitate Trade and Customs While Rebuilding Trust with Private Sector

The Syrian government continues to address trade, customs, and private sector relations as key pillars of economic recovery. In recent days, three connected developments stood out: financial dialogue with the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce, customs cooperation with France, and rising Jordanian exports to the Syrian market.

In Damascus, Finance Minister Mohammad Yusr Barniyeh visited the headquarters of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce and discussed with its president, Alaa Al-Ali, ways to strengthen cooperation, dialogue, and trust between the Ministry of Finance and the private sector. The meeting focused on activating business, trade, and investment activity while improving tax compliance under a clearer and fairer system.

The minister listened to the federation's comments on ongoing tax reforms. An understanding was reached to cancel the retroactive application of the consumption expenditure fee for the period following liberation, reducing pressure on businesses while the necessary legal treatment is reviewed.

This understanding is practically important for traders and importers because retroactive fees can create uncertainty in pricing, contracts, and cash flows. Canceling or legally addressing the issue may help calm markets, encourage traders to use official channels, and reduce tension between the private sector and fiscal authorities.

On the customs front, Syria's General Authority for Land and Sea Ports and Customs discussed with a delegation from the French Embassy in Damascus technical and customs cooperation and ways to develop joint work mechanisms. The talks covered customs capacity building, exchange of expertise, fee harmonization, transparency, and improving the trade environment.

The two sides also agreed to prepare a memorandum of understanding between the customs directors of Syria and France to exchange information, enhance technical cooperation, and develop customs systems. This path is important because modernizing customs affects not only imports and exports, but also the cost of industrial and investment projects that require machinery, raw materials, and spare parts.

Regionally, Jordanian data showed that Jordan's exports to Syria rose by 38.4% in the first third of 2026, reaching 101 million Jordanian dinars. This figure reflects improved trade movement between the two countries, but also raises questions about Syria's ability to increase its own exports and reduce trade imbalances.

Together, these indicators suggest that Syrian trade is entering a phase of reorganization: clearer taxation, more cooperative customs, and greater openness to regional goods flows. Success, however, will require faster procedures, stable fees, digital clearance systems, protection of local production without restricting necessary imports, and easier truck and goods movement across borders