Syria has a long and impressive history, from prehistory and the Romans, through the Arab caliphates to the present day. Throughout this, Syria has been a centre for commerce with a deep-rooted trading culture, emphasised by its ideal location as a link between east and west.

Now Syria is reinvigorating this culture to create a modern economy that is able to take advantage of a wider global market.

Government System

Syria is a republic whose president is elected by popular plebiscite for a term of seven years.

HE Dr. Bashar al-Assad has been the president of the Syrian Arab Republic since July 2000.

Capital

Damascus, Syria’s administrative and business centre, is one of the oldest continuously inhibited cities in the world.

Climate

A pleasant climate with four distinct seasons; it varies from a Mediterranean climate at the coast to a dry climate in the interior region. The average temperature is 32° C. (90° F) in Summer, 10° C. (50° F) in Winter and 22° C. (72° F) in Spring and Autumn.

Movement to Change

 As a part of economic reform, numerous efforts have been made to attract foreign investors:

• Investment Law No. 10 (1991) exempts companies from taxes for seven years; it also allows for tax-free importation of machinery, equipment and vehicles.
• Under a Decree of 2000, capital can be repatriated by investors. 
• Trade agreements have been signed with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt.
• A project to create a pan Arab free trade zone commenced in 2005.

Syria has many assets: a deep-rooted trading culture, an ideal location as a point of entry to Arab markets, and its excellent potential for expanding tourism.
 

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