Türkiye-Syria trade sees significant growth amid new customs policies
A line of trucks waits at a border crossing between Türkiye and Syria as part of ongoing trade operations in Hatay, Türkiye, on Jan. 20, 2025. (IHA Photo)
Trade between Türkiye and Syria has surged at the start of the year, with Turkish exports to Syria increasing by 35.5% year-on-year, reaching $219 million by Jan. 25, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat announced on Thursday.
Bolat highlighted the close cooperation with Syria’s new administration, expressing optimism about further progress in trade, investments, and reconstruction. He emphasized that despite changes to customs duties introduced on Jan. 11, the adjustments were not aimed at Türkiye but were part of broader fiscal reforms.
New customs adjustments
Syria’s new administration revised 6,302 customs duties, leading to mixed changes in tariffs. While some items saw duty increases in northern Syria, others experienced reductions.
Bolat addressed false reports alleging that Syrian duties disproportionately targeted Turkish goods, clarifying that the reforms were designed to manage public spending.
Bolat also referenced the 2007 free trade agreement between Türkiye and Syria, suspended during the Syrian revolution. He revealed that Türkiye proposed reviving the agreement, with Syria responding positively. Türkiye has advised Syria to lower duties on essential goods to combat inflation, resulting in reductions on 269 products, including milk, eggs, flour, iron, steel, and plastic items.
Following the Jan. 11 adjustments, Turkish exports to Syria rose by 33% in two weeks, reaching $130 million. Cross-border trade activity also increased, with an average of 532 vehicles crossing into Syria daily through the Hatay border from Jan. 15 to 20.
Bolat dismissed rumors of Turkish trucks entering YPG terror group-controlled regions via the Habur border, citing high customs duties in northern Iraq as a deterrent. The YPG is the PKK’s affiliate in Syria. PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has waged a 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, resulting in the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and the elderly.
