Damascus, SANA-The Central Bank of Syria (CBS) participated in a financial dialogue meeting via videoconference, organized by the Syrian-American Business Council from Washington.
The meeting was attended by U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, representatives of US, international, and Syrian banks, and representatives of the UN and EU missions in Syria.
Governor of the CBS, Abdul Qader al-Hasriya, delivered a speech titled “Money is not just numbers… but a bridge to peace, partnership, and prosperity.” He expressed a clear vision for a new phase of constructive dialogue and financial cooperation between Syria and the US.
the Governor stressed that Ambassador Barrack’s participation reflects a genuine commitment to dialogue and mutual understanding.
Governor al-Hasriya spoke about a “common financial language” based on transparency, ethics, and regulatory discipline.
Dr. al-Hasriya affirmed that Syria is currently on the cusp of a serious reconstruction phase, with promising potential for sustainable economic growth across several sectors.
Among the most prominent themes of the Governor’s speech were: “Boosting the legal and technical framework for combating money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT) in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), enhancing the independence of the independent Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which operates efficiently to monitor suspicious activities, and launching training programs for compliance officers at various Syrian financial institutions.”
He called on American banks to reconsider establishing correspondent banking relationships and opening representative offices or partnerships within Syria, emphasizing the Central Bank’s readiness to operate with transparency and openness to ensure compliance and build trust.
Dr. al-Hasriya said, “Banking relations are not just about financial transfers. They are about rebuilding trust, supporting legitimate trade, and serving people’s daily lives.” He called for moving beyond short-term concerns toward long-term opportunities.
He added, “The Central Bank thanks everyone who participated in this constructive meeting, and we look forward to continuing this dialogue as a first step in writing a new chapter in Syrian-American economic relations.”
MHD Ibrahim
