Damascus: Turkish Trade Minister €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦‚¬Å“mer Polat stated that a strong economic alliance is beginning to take shape between the countries of the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf region and Turkey. Speaking at a roundtable meeting of Turkish and Syrian businesspeople in Damascus, he highlighted the increasing necessity for regional cooperation amidst global economic challenges caused by geopolitical tensions, regional wars, and trade disputes among major economies.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Polat discussed the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz on energy supplies, petrochemical products, and global shipping rates. He announced the operational status of a transit trade corridor linking Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries, with agreements signed by the transport ministries of those nations. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing projects related to oil and natural gas pipelines.

Polat addressed the recently signed “Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense,” emphasizing that the security alliance established under this agreement is expected to expand with more countries joining. He expressed optimism that economic alliances and integration would accelerate, particularly in response to regional threats from Israel.

He underscored the significance of joint action among regional countries to confront these threats and announced that Turkey had secured a commitment from Syria to open the Nusaybin/Qamishli border crossing by the end of the year, enhancing routes for transit trade with Iraq and Gulf states.

Polat revealed that his visit to Damascus included a delegation of 200 Turkish businesspeople and that Turkey would participate in the Damascus International Fair with about 33 companies. He noted Syria’s progress in political, internal security, and national unity spheres since the revolution’s success and anticipated that lifting sanctions would speed up the Syrian economy’s recovery.

The Turkish Minister of Trade highlighted the evolving relations between Turkey and Syria, with enhanced coordination in multiple sectors, including political, diplomatic, defense, economic, transportation, energy, trade, investment, and contracting. He mentioned the completion of legal frameworks to strengthen economic cooperation and the establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

Polat pointed to the modernization and expansion of customs crossings and the operation of a transit corridor linking Turkey and Syria to the broader Middle East and Gulf countries. Looking ahead, he anticipated expanded investments and partnerships, particularly in Syrian reconstruction and the energy and services sectors. He emphasized the priority of addressing the destruction of the past 14 years and reiterated Turkey’s support for Syria’s unity and territorial integrity.

He also mentioned the establishment of a Joint Trade and Economic Committee between Turkey and Syria, formalized through an agreement in Ankara in August 2025, and ongoing cooperation between the countries’ central banks, with expectations of Turkish banks establishing operations in Syria.

Finally, Polat noted the participation of Turkish construction and building materials companies in the Syria Reconstruction and Building Exhibition scheduled for next September.