French delegation visits Damascus Chamber of Commerce

During a meeting with a French delegation headed by the French Special Envoy to Syria Jean-François Guillaume, Chairman of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce Basil Hamwi said: “We were isolated from the world during the rule of the former regime, and our relations with all international companies were limited due to its practices. But today, we are optimistic about the future. Damascus Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1850 and is considered the first chamber of commerce in the Arab region.”

He explained, “as traders, we are aware of France’s significant role and influence in Europe and America, and we hope it will work to lift sanctions in order to resume business with international companies with which we have shared interests.”

He noted that lifting sanctions on Syria would benefit both Syria and France.

In a statement to the Syrian “Al-Watan” newspaper, Hamwi emphasized that what matters to us today is the lifting of sanctions on commercial companies operating in Syria, a matter that will benefit European and French companies, as well as Syrian companies.

He added “we look forward to Syria returning to a free market economy, one that cooperates with all countries of the world.”

For his part, the head of the French delegation Jean-François Guillaume stated that his visit to Syria was his third since the liberation, and that the delegation came to reopen the French embassy, which had been closed since 2012, in order to restore relations with the Syrian side.

He pointed out that France hopes to have a role in Syria very soon, as it will send a semi-permanent diplomatic mission and will play a role in restoring economic, trade, and investment relations between the two countries. He noted that the European Union is keen to lift sanctions on Syria in the financial and banking sectors, which is why France is working with its American partners to lift sanctions on the Syrian banking system.

He pointed out that all European Union countries want to restore economic relations with Syria, particularly relations with the private sector.

He explained that there is a need to establish a new currency in Syria, France, and the European Union, and that they are prepared to support the Syrian Central Bank in its re-entry into the global financial system.