Ankara, July 22 (SANA)A delegation from theGeneral Authority for Borders and Customs(GABC), headed by Chairman Qutaiba Badawi, held on Wednesday extensive talks with Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat in Ankara, in the presence of Syria’s charge d’affaires Fadi al-Qassem, to discuss the state of economic and trade relations between the two countries and areas of joint cooperation.

The Syrian and Turkish sides discussed ways to develop economic and trade relations and elevate them to more advanced levels in line with available capabilities and the shared interests of the Syrian and Turkish peoples, according to a statement on the authority’s Telegram channel.

Trade volume, customs procedures

The meeting addressed mechanisms to increase trade exchange, facilitate the movement of goods and trucks across border crossings, develop transit movement, and address challenges facing traders, importers and exporters. Talks also covered cooperation opportunities in transport, logistics, free zones and dry ports.

Both sides stressed the importance of continued coordination between relevant institutions, simplifying customs and administrative procedures, and accelerating trade flow to strengthen the position of Syria and Türkiye withinregional tradeand transport routes and connect Arab markets with Turkish andEuropean markets.

Investment forum on Idlib free zone

Following the talks, the two delegations attended the Syrian-Turkish Investment Forum organized by Turkish company Bumako to promote the commercial and industrial free zone and dry port project inIdlibprovince, signed in May, and review opportunities for companies and businessmen to participate in implementing, developing and operating the project.

Badawi said in a speech that Syrian-Turkish relations are based on deep historical, social and economic ties, adding that the current phase requires moving these relations toward active partnership in construction, development,investmentand production.

He described the free zone and dry port project in Idlib as a strategic and regional project, given its proximity to the Syrian-Turkish border and theBab al-Hawa crossing, and its location at the intersection of the M4 and M5 international highways, positioning it to become a center for industry, trade, storage, logistics and re-export.

In May, Syria and Türkiye signed agreements to establish a free zone in Idlib province. The project is a joint economic initiative to boost trade and investment, positioning Idlib as a hub for manufacturing, trade and logistics connecting Syria, Türkiye and wider regional markets. Türkiye is Syria’s largest trading partner, with trade volumes reaching approximately $4 billion in 2025 and growing steadily.