Syria and Turkey Discuss Steps Toward $10 Billion Trade Target in Damascus

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Muhammad Nidal al-Shaar discussed steps toward a bilateral $10 billion trade target during a business forum in Damascus. Turkey’s trade ministry said the talks covered customs and transport facilitation, banking, joint industrial zones and Turkish private-sector participation in Syrian reconstruction. It said a 200-person Turkish business delegation attended and both sides reaffirmed plans to implement commitments from their April Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting. Officials announced no binding trade deal, investment total or deadline for reaching the target.