Türkiye and Syria Launch Historic JETCO Talks

In a definitive pivot toward regional integration following the 2024 regime change in Damascus, Türkiye and Syria convened in Istanbul today, April 7, 2026, for the inaugural session of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). Co-chaired by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Nidal al-Shaar, the summit marks the formal institutionalization of a relationship that has transitioned from conflict to a “target export market” priority in record time.

The meetings coincide with a surge in bilateral volume, which reached $3.7 billion in 2025 and has already surpassed $1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, signaling a rapid normalization of the “Middle Corridor” logistics.

The JETCO Roadmap: Harmonizing the Border

The primary objective of the Istanbul summit is to create a “seamless trade infrastructure.” Key outcomes from the first session include:

• Customs Modernization: A commitment to modernize and expand shared border gates to accelerate transit passages.

• Standardization Accord: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) focused on harmonizing product safety, inspections, and metrology standards to facilitate easier movement of goods.

• Banking & Finance: Panels dedicated to managing financial flows and rebuilding Syria’s banking sector to support Turkish institutional investments.

2. Rebuilding Syria: The $794 Million Footprint

Turkish contractors, who have already undertaken 26 projects worth $794 million in Syria, are positioning themselves as the primary architects of the country’s reconstruction. The Türkiye-Syria Business and Investment Forum, organized by DEİK, saw high-level representation from:

• Energy & Infrastructure: Focus on restoring power grids and renewable energy capacity.

• Construction & Contracting: Massive urban redevelopment plans for Aleppo and Damascus.

• Textile Integration: Minister al-Shaar highlighted a “full value chain” partnership with Türkiye to revive the historic Syrian textile sector through joint ventures.

3. Trade Dynamics: Records in the Making

The trade data reflects an unprecedented appetite for Turkish goods in the post-Assad era:

• Growth Surge: Exports to Syria rose 60% in 2025 and jumped another 26.7% year-on-year in the first two months of 2026.

• Dominant Categories: Land vehicles, tractors, and motorcycles currently lead the export list, totaling $72.7 million in early 2026 as the Syrian agricultural and logistics sectors re-mobilize.

• Strategic Reclassification: Syria’s addition to Ankara’s “target export country” list allows Turkish firms to access specialized state support and credit lines for their operations in Syria.