Turkish Commercial Counselor in Damascus Şaban Kaan Özdemir noted recently that Syria has made a point to address some of the difficulties encountered by Turkish businessmen as they establish a trade presence in the country, calling, however, for this process to be accelerated. Özdemir singled out the absence of Turkish banks in the country and the frequent cancellation of public tenders as the two greatest issues impeding Turkish businessmen's entry into the Syrian economy.
Syrian authorities are currently considering plans to amend regulations in order to allow foreign banks or bank branches to be established in the country, Özdemir said, noting that he expected a Turkish bank to open in the country shortly. He also explained the severity of the problem of cancelled tenders, noting that Syrian officials have the authority to cancel tenders even after work on the contracted tasks has begun.
Turkish businessmen operating in Syria also face customs-related problems, Özdemir stated, explaining that often different duties are charged for the same products. The bureaucratic process in customs also takes a long time, he said, which causes great economic losses to businessmen attempting to transport perishable products. Syrian authorities have been informed of the need for standardization in customs duties and reducing bureaucratic barriers, he said. The variety and amounts of food products that can be imported should also be increased, Özdemir argued. Obtaining work permits also takes a long time due to bureaucratic obstacles, which sometimes leaves Turkish investors waiting for months. Syrian regulations also restrict foreign workers, he noted.
Speaking of the problems that arise from the cancellation of tenders, Enis Kobak, Syrian representative of Turkish electronics firm EAS, said that no reason is generally provided for the cancellation. A tender for tachographs has been canceled twice, he said, adding that his firm had brought 5,000 tachographs, worth perhaps 2 million euros into Syria after they won the first tender. The tachographs have been waiting in storage for two-and-a-half years, he said. Ertuğrul Nacar, owner of an investment and advisory company in Syria, stated that Turkish businessmen need to undertake comprehensive market research before coming to Syria in order to minimize the problems they will face.
