Infrastructure Upgrade and Transport Facilitation: Syria’s Key Prerequisites to Leverage Expected Economic Opening

Mohammad Hallaq, Chairman of the Economic Sciences Association at the Syrian Chamber of Commerce, stated that removing Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list opens significant prospects for reviving trade, investment, and the overall economy. However, he emphasized that capitalizing on these opportunities mandates structural reforms in legislation, the banking sector, infrastructure, and transportation.

Hallaq noted that the land transport sector will be among the primary beneficiaries of any economic openness, particularly as freight fleets undergo modernization and imports of heavy machinery resume. Facilitating visa procedures will further bolster cross-border movement for goods and individuals. Conversely, increased traffic volume will strain the existing road network, which suffers from severe wear due to years of deferred maintenance.

He argued that this increased demand should serve as a catalyst for the government to expedite highway rehabilitation. Developing road infrastructure should be viewed as a high-return investment that generates transit revenue, rather than merely a government expenditure. Given Syria's strategic geographic location connecting Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and the Gulf states, Hallaq concluded that upgrading border crossings and introducing dedicated lanes for heavy transport are vital steps to streamline cargo flow and reduce border congestion.