Syria’s national import and export committee holds first meeting in Damascus

Damascus, Dec. 2 (SANA) The National Import and Export Committee held its first meeting in Damascus on Tuesday, chaired by Qutaiba Badawi, head of the General Authority for Ports and Customs, following the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 263 of 2025 establishing the committee and defining its duties and powers.

In his opening remarks, Badawi said the formation of the committee comes within the state’s broader approach to strengthening economic governance and promoting sound management of supply chains and cross-border trade.

He stressed that the committee’s work will be carried out in full coordination with relevant ministries and public bodies to ensure market stability, support national production, and regulate import and export priorities.

The meeting discussed the executive framework for the national policy governing the movement of goods and products across border crossings. Members reviewed initial recommendations aimed at rationalizing imports in line with the needs of the Syrian market and the requirements of the current economic phase.

It was agreed that the committee will hold regular meetings to monitor the implementation of proposed policies and submit recommendations to the General Secretariat of the Presidency in line with the country’s higher economic interests.

At the close of the session, the committee approved an initial package of measures, including a reduction in customs duties on the import of certain types of livestock, and a temporary suspension of imports of several agricultural products and chicken meat during December. The measures are intended to support domestic production and protect market stability as part of a broader plan to regulate import and export activity and enhance the efficiency of the national economy during the recovery phase.

The meeting follows the issuance, on November 23, of Presidential Decree No. 244 establishing the General Authority for Ports and Customs as an independent public body with financial and administrative autonomy, directly linked to the Presidency and headquartered in Damascus.

The authority is tasked with managing and regulating operations at all land and sea border crossings, formulating public policies that coordinate customs, port operations, free zones and maritime transport, supervising the collection of duties and revenues in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and preparing draft laws, decrees and regulatory frameworks governing ports, crossings, free zones and customs.