The Turkish authorities and the business world held talks on Tuesday to alternate views on methods to assist Syria’s reconstruction and financial revival following final month’s ouster of longtime dictator Bashar Assad.
Assad’s fall after opposition forces’ weeklong lightning offensive left behind a rustic with important financial and infrastructural issues after the 13-year civil struggle.
Officials have since voiced Türkiye’s readiness to assist the neighboring nation regain ft. Ankara was the primary nation to reopen its embassy in Damascus.
The essential agenda of the assembly in Ankara on Tuesday centered on “what our business world and our country can do in the reconstruction, development, and strengthening of the economy and trade of the brother country Syria in the new era,” the Trade Ministry mentioned in an announcement.
The assembly was attended by Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, businesspeople, industrial chambers and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
The ministry said a powerful cooperation must be established between Türkiye and Syria to make sure a sustainable state construction, peace and safety within the nation.
The struggle killed greater than half one million folks and left behind an economic system in shambles, destroying houses, companies, faculties and vitality infrastructure.
It displaced 6 million folks throughout the globe and seven million folks inside Syria. Türkiye has been house to just about 3 million refugees who fled after the beginning of the civil struggle in 2011, and Assad’s overthrow has raised hopes that many will return. More than 25,000 returned house because the fall of the regime, based on authorities.
Untapped commerce potential
Separately on Tuesday, Bilgehan Engin, head of the Association of International Transport and Logistics Service Providers (UTIKAD), highlighted Syria’s untapped commerce potential with Türkiye.
Currently valued at $2 billion yearly, Engin famous that the products alternate between the 2 nations might quickly develop to $6 billion within the quick to medium time period as stability improves.
“Syria’s evolving circumstances and the end of active conflict present a significant opportunity for Turkish industries, particularly logistics and infrastructure development,” he informed reporters.
He identified {that a} funds of $400 billion mentioned to be talked about for Syria’s reconstruction over the subsequent two to 4 years might generate main operational demand for Türkiye’s logistics sector, significantly in “project transportation.”
Engin burdened that Turkish ports and transport corridors might function important conduits for supplies and items required for rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure, together with houses, companies and utilities devastated by the battle.
“Developments in Syria are important in many ways. They are significant in terms of their impact on our country’s geopolitical situation, political situation and even economic situation. Before 2013, Syria was an important trade partner for us. If it had continued at the same pace today, there would be a potential of $6 billion or even more. Today, there is a trade volume of $2 billion,” he mentioned.
Engin said that with the altering conjuncture and the struggle atmosphere being left behind, they count on this quantity to rise rapidly towards the talked about potential within the quick to medium time period.
“There are infrastructure budgets mentioned in Syria exceeding $400 billion. These will largely pass through our ports. The renewal of Syria’s infrastructure is expected to create a significant operational input and workload for the logistics sector in the short to medium term,” he added.
While the funds has attracted world consideration, Engin urged Turkish companies to leverage their geographic and logistical benefits to safe a number one position in rebuilding Syria.
Source: www.dailysabah.com