Syrian enterprises on rise in Turkey’s economy

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Some 1,122 companies were founded by Syrians in Turkey this year. AA Photo

More than 26 percent of new companies started up in Turkey by foreigners in the first 11 months of this year were either set up by Syrians or partnered with Syrians, according to data from the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).

Over 53,329 new companies or associations were started up in Turkey within the first eleven months of this year, of which 4,249 were foreign-partnered. Some 1,122, over 26 percent, of the foreign-partnered companies were founded directly by Syrians or partnered with local businessmen by Syrians Out of the total number of foreign-funded companies in November, 118 were funded from Syria, 36 were Iranian-funded, and 23 were financed from Iraq.

Muhammed Shreem, from Aleppo, is only one of thousands of Syrians who have fled their war-torn country.

 “We had a family import and export company in Aleppo. We have opened a new company in Mersin, where our family has been harbored. We export construction materials and stationery from Turkey to Aleppo, one of the largest cities in Syria, and Idlib province in northwestern Syria,” says the 43-year-old Shreem, who has been in business in Mersin for two years. However, local business owners have complained about the situation bringing unfair competition.

“Syrians who have escaped from the civil war and taken refuge in Turkey should obey the rules of law in the country,” Talat Dinçer from the Mersin Tradesmen and Artisans Association said.

Şerafettin Asut, president of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Syrian firms are in every sector, from logistics to real estate.