New Syrian Trade Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting in Damascus

Syria has formed a new national committee to oversee its international trade. The National Import and Export Committee held its first meeting in Damascus on Tuesday. President Bashar al-Assad established the committee by a decree earlier this year. The decree, numbered 263 for 2025, defines the group's duties and legal powers. Qutaiba Badawi chaired the meeting. Badawi leads Syria's General Authority for Ports and Customs, the agency that manages the country's borders for goods. In his opening remarks, Badawi outlined the committee's central mission. He stated the group will work to develop and streamline Syria's import and export processes.