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Syria-Turkey Free Zone and Dry Port
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The General Authority for Free Zones, operating under Syria's General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Turkish company BOMACO, a firm specialising in border management and logistics infrastructure. The signing ceremony was held at the Idlib Governorate headquarters in the presence of officials from both the Syrian and Turkish sides.
Parties to the Agreement
Signatories and Attendees
The MoU was signed on behalf of the Syrian authority by its Director General, Ahmad al-Damen, and on behalf of BOMACO by Sarhan Palaban.
The ceremony was also attended by Idlib Governor Mohammad Abdul Rahman and Alp Arin Yilmaz, Deputy Governor of Turkey's Hatay Province, alongside representatives of relevant bodies from both countries.
Project Details
Implementation Mechanism
The agreement stipulates that the project will be executed under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, whereby BOMACO will be responsible for conducting the technical and economic feasibility studies, as well as all planning and implementation work.
Under this framework, the private company finances and operates the facility for a defined period before transferring ownership to the state.
Project Components
The project covers the development of a free zone incorporating industrial, commercial, and service facilities, in addition to a dry port with a supporting logistics network for transport and trade flows.
The total project area is approximately 1,105,000 square metres, situated east of Idlib city at the intersection of international road corridors.
Objectives and Context
Economic Objectives
According to the parties, the project aims to stimulate economic activity in Idlib Governorate, attract domestic and foreign investment, and generate employment opportunities for the local population.
It also addresses bilateral trade between Syria and Turkey, in the context of a stated target to raise the volume of two-way trade to 10 billion US dollars, discussed during the first meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) between the two countries.
Strategic Context
This MoU is part of a Syrian-Turkish cooperation track in logistics and trade infrastructure. BOMACO's engagement with the Syrian authority began in April 2025, when an initial meeting was held to discuss investment and infrastructure opportunities.
The company's stated areas of expertise include:
- Development and management of border crossings and customs facilities
- Construction and operation of logistics centres and dry ports
- Customs clearance procedures and efficiency
- Supply chain support and facilitation of cross-border trade
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the parties to the agreement?
The MoU was signed between Syria's General Authority for Free Zones, under the General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs, and the Turkish company BOMACO.
Under what model will the project be implemented?
The project will be executed under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, under which BOMACO conducts the feasibility studies, planning, and implementation, and operates the facility for a defined period before transferring ownership to the state.
Where is the project located and what is its size?
The project is located east of Idlib city at the intersection of international road corridors, with a total area of approximately 1,105,000 square metres.
What does the project include?
It includes a free zone with industrial, commercial, and service facilities, in addition to a dry port supported by a logistics network for transport and trade.
Update — 2026-07-28
The project remains in its preparatory phase and construction has not begun. According to a report by Al Jazeera Net on 28 July 2026, Mazen Alloush, Director of Relations at the General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs, said the project has completed several foundational steps but that on-the-ground implementation has not started, and that there is no officially announced timetable as yet; the authority will announce one once studies, procedures and final approvals are complete.
The same report noted that a delegation of the General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs visited Ankara on 21 and 22 July 2026 to discuss the project, and that technical and economic studies and initial negotiating rounds are under way. The designated site lies at the intersection of the M4 and M5 international highways in Idlib. SANA had reported on 7 May 2026 that the General Establishment for Free Zones signed a memorandum of understanding with the Turkish company BOMACO to build and operate the Idlib free zone together with a dry port under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement.
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