Syrian government to establish free trade zone in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria

(North Press) – The Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade in the Syrian government, Samer al-Khalil, said that they are about to establish a free trade zone in the city of al-Bukamal in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria.

In a statement to the pro-Syrian al-Watan newspaper, al-Khalil ruled out the idea of transforming the city of Tartus into a completely free trade zone, because it needs an extensive and detailed study.

“Here, we are talking about large geographical borders that include different sectors, and this is an idea that was proposed in some period previously.”

There are eight free trade zones in Syria engaged in commercial trade, and they are used mainly for the domestic sale of imported goods, according to the World Bank.

“There is a complete plan to re-launch the free zone in Aleppo in partnership with the private sector, because it needs a full level of rehabilitation,” al-Khalil added.

According to the official SANA agency, the interventions of the members of the Budget and Accounts Committee in the Parliament during its meeting on Tuesday focused on the importance of developing free zones and creating new ones.  

The city of al-Bukamal, which lies on the Syrian-Iraqi border, has been under the control of the government forces since 2017 after its liberation from the Islamic State (ISIS).

According to Legislative Decree No. 18, 1971, the most important free trade zones in Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, Tartus, Daraa, and Hasakah belong to the General Corporation for Free Trade Zones.

The experience of free trade zones in Syria goes back more than 60 years, as the first free trade zone was established in Baramkeh in the city center of Damascus in 1952, according to press reports.