Dutch businessman Martin ten Boomer, owner of Ottomania, a shop and founder of Ottomania, which sells handicrafts from former Ottoman Empire countries such as Syria, Turkey and Lebanon, said he was optimistic that some business would return.
“We hope there will be room for trade again, but we have to wait and see if the Syrian transitional government will be removed from the terror list. Everything depends on how the new authorities act,” he told the Dutch news site RTL.
Ten Boomer praised the high skill of Syrian craftsmen in industries such as weaving, glassblowing and traditional soap making.
“The Syrians are capable of producing wonderful products,” he said. “For example, the old textile factories were concentrated in the city of Aleppo, but most of them have probably been destroyed. However, the famous Aleppo soap is still exported all over the world.”
Ten Boomer is looking to reconnect with local producers who previously worked with his Ottomania shop.
“As soon as the opportunity arises, we will definitely start commissioning them again,” he said. For the local population and the rebuilding of Syria, this is vital. How can reconstruction be achieved without economic development?”
The website pointed out that although importing products from Syria is not currently prohibited, the sanctions imposed on the country are a major obstacle. Dutch banks are not allowed to carry out any direct or indirect financial transactions with Syria, the same restrictions imposed on other countries such as Russia, Iran and North Korea.
These sanctions have greatly affected international companies. For example, the oil company Shell was forced to stop its activities in Syria in 2011, where it was producing about 13,000 barrels per day through the “Euphrates” joint project.
On the other hand, the financial system in Syria is suffering from collapse. Before the outbreak of protests against the Assad regime in 2011, the exchange rate of the US dollar was about 50 Syrian pounds. Now, the price has exceeded 15,000 Syrian pounds per dollar, which has led to a wave of massive inflation. Experts explained that pricing products has become very complicated, especially since most Syrians find it difficult to secure their basic needs after losing their savings.
Economists believe that the stability of the economy. Opening the Syrian economy to trade and investment is a key factor in creating new job opportunities, and is vital to receiving millions of Syrian refugees if they return to their country, especially those with high educational qualifications who migrated because of the war.
Hassan Qaddour - Zaman Al Wasl
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