Syrian government's tax policies negatively impact Turkey's exports: 'Trade has come to a standstill'

Regulations that caused tax increases of up to 500 percent on products exported from Turkey to Syria have also negatively affected animal food exports. Exports, which were close to 100 million dollars annually before the new Syrian government's tax regulations, have come to a standstill.

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Syrian government's tax policies negatively impact Turkey's exports: 'Trade has come to a standstill'

Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship's collapse and the subsequent new tax regulations continue to negatively affect trade between Turkey and Syria. The tax regulations put into effect by the new Syrian government on January 11 have hit animal food exports following the transportation sector.

The new customs tax policies implemented by the newly established government in Syria have disrupted Turkey's animal food exports. Following the regulations, exports, which were at the level of 6 to 10 million dollars per month, have almost completely stopped.

Evaluating the issue, Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Sector Council Member Ali Can Yamanyılmaz emphasized that trade is at a standstill and stated the following:

'This situation both weakens the competitiveness of our exporters and disrupts commercial relations between the two countries. An urgent solution needs to be found.'

Following the announcement of the new customs taxes, a large number of Turkish trucks formed long queues at customs gates in Syria. Syrian importers did not take delivery of Turkish products due to the new taxes

IT MAY ALSO NEGATIVELY AFFECT TURKEY'S TRADE WITH THE REGION

According to experts, Syria's new customs tax policies may negatively affect not only exports to Syria but also trade in the region in general.

The International Transporters Association had recently requested that authorities accelerate contacts to resolve the issue.

Turkey's exports to Syria were considered one of the country's important income items. If the new customs tax practices do not change, the Turkish economy could suffer 'noticeable' damage.