Syria is a country located in the Middle East, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, Israel to the southwest, and Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. It has a diverse geography that includes various landscapes and features. Along the western edge of Syria lies a narrow coastal plain that stretches from north to south. This region is fertile and highly populated, with cities like Latakia and Tartus located on the coast. Moving inland from the coast, Syria is characterized by several mountain ranges. The Anti-Lebanon Mountains form the country's western border with Lebanon. The mountainous region includes the Jebel al-Aalaq, Jebel Ansariye, and Jebel el-Sheikh ranges.

To the east of the mountains, the Syrian Desert, also known as the Badiyat ash-Sham, dominates the landscape. It is a vast arid expanse of rocky and sandy terrain, sparsely populated, and home to several oasis towns. The Euphrates River, one of the most important rivers in the region, runs diagonally across Syria from northeast to southwest. The river valley is a fertile region that supports agriculture and human settlements. In the northern part of Syria, there are extensive plateaus such as the Aleppo Plateau and the Homs Plateau. These areas have relatively flat terrain and are agriculturally productive.

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Located on the country's western coast, the Port of Latakia is Syria's main seaport and the largest port in the country. It handles a significant portion of Syria's maritime trade and serves as a major hub for container shipping, general cargo, and bulk cargo. The port has both commercial and industrial areas and offers facilities for storage, loading, and unloading of goods. Situated near the city of Tartus, the Port of Tartus is another important seaport in Syria. It primarily handles bulk cargo, including petroleum, minerals, and agricultural products. The port has facilities for loading and unloading cargo and serves as a link for trade with neighboring countries.

Syria's coastal cities, including Latakia, Tartus, and Baniyas, are connected through coastal shipping routes. Smaller vessels transport goods and passengers along the coast, providing an important means of domestic transportation and trade. Syria's ports play a crucial role in facilitating international trade. They handle imports and exports of various goods, including oil and gas, minerals, agricultural products, manufactured goods, and containers. The ports serve as gateways for trade with countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, enabling the import and export of goods through maritime routes.

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Goods imported into Syria are subject to customs duties, which are levied based on the customs valuation of the goods and the applicable tariff rates. The Syrian Customs Authority determines the valuation and tariff rates for different categories of goods. Syria imposes import and export controls on certain goods for various reasons, including national security, public health, environmental protection, and cultural heritage preservation. These controls may involve licensing requirements, restrictions, or prohibitions on specific goods, such as weapons, narcotics, endangered species, and cultural artifacts. Importers and exporters should comply with these controls and obtain the necessary permits or licenses as required.

Importers and exporters are required to complete the necessary customs documentation accurately and submit it to the Syrian Customs Authority. Commonly required documents include commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading or airway bills, certificates of origin, import/export licenses, and other relevant certificates or permits. Goods entering or leaving Syria are subject to customs procedures, which may include customs inspections, verification of customs declarations, payment of customs duties and fees, and compliance with import/export regulations. Importers and exporters should follow the prescribed customs procedures and provide accurate information to the customs authorities.

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The Central Bank of Syria is the country's central monetary authority responsible for formulating and implementing monetary and banking policies. It regulates and supervises all banks and financial institutions operating in Syria. Banks in Syria must obtain a license from the Central Bank of Syria to operate. The CBS sets criteria and requirements for obtaining a banking license, including capital requirements, corporate governance standards, and risk management guidelines. Banks are subject to ongoing supervision and regulation to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Syrian banks offer a range of services, including deposit-taking, lending, foreign exchange, money transfers, trade finance, and other traditional banking operations. The CBS sets guidelines and regulations governing these services to promote stability and protect the interests of depositors and customers. Syrian banks are subject to AML and CTF regulations to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism. These regulations require banks to implement robust customer due diligence measures, report suspicious transactions, and maintain records for a specified period. Banks are expected to have internal controls and procedures to ensure compliance with AML and CTF requirements.

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Exports to Syria: the decision of the Syrian government to ban the import of goods from Turkey and on the other hand become more competitive prices of goods produced in Iran, Iranian goods have high competitive potential with similar foreign products. For export to Syria, according to surveys conducted by the research and marketing team of Noor Al-Furat Company, Iranian manufacturers and exporters can have more priority in the fields of energy, construction industry, medical equipment, infrastructure and equipment, and livestock and food industries. 

It can be noted that Iran's main economic and trade rival in the trade market is Syria; it is Russia, but goods produced in Russia are much more expensive than goods produced in Iran, and Russia is not able to compete with goods made in Iran to export to Damascus. Also, the geographical location of Syria and the access of Syrian businessmen to European businessmen and African countries will open new windows for economic actors in Iran.

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