Syria’s economy continues to deteriorate amid the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, declining by 62% from 2010 to 2014. The government has struggled to address the effects of international sanctions, widespread infrastructure damage, diminished domestic consumption and production, reduced subsidies, and high inflation

The economic impact of the conflict is difficult to estimate precisely given limited data but is large and growing. Syria’s GDP is estimated to have contracted by an average of 15.7 percent for the period (2011-14)  The decline in GDP growth was in part attributed to a sharp decline in oil production, down from 368,000 barrels per day in 2010 to an estimated 40,000 barrels per day in 2015 and 2016.

This site provides a link to several current articles that describe the business environment in Syria.

The state has long dominated many areas of economic activity, and the repressive economic environment has marginalized the private sector and prevented sustainable development. State interference has seriously undermined monetary freedom.

This World Bank site ranks Syria for ease of doing business with outher countries of the world.

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Syrian Arab Republic.

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Syrian Arab Republic.

This World Bank site ranks Syria for ease of doing business with outher countries of the world.

The Corporate Tax Rate in Syria stands at 22 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Syria averaged 26.90 percent from 2006 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 35.00 percent in 2006 and a record low of 22.00 percent in 2013.

This site reports the fully burdened corporate tax rate for Syria

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Syria stands at 22 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Syria averaged 21.08 percent from 2004 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 22 percent in 2010 and a record low of 20 percent in 2005.

Comprehensive Information on Syria Visa Requirements 

See “Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements on this US Department of State site

155 tips on getting to and getting around Syria from real travelers and locals.

Transport facilities in Syria are quite inexpensive, and you can choose from buses, taxis and trains and even domestic flights which usually operate as per schedule. 

Syrias telecom sector has been caught up in the ongoing civil war. Reports include instances of information warfare, proposed sanctions against telecom companies and damage to telecoms infrastructure. 

Prior to the Syrian civil war, telecommunications in Syria were slowly moving towards liberalization, with a number of licenses awarded and services launched in the Internet service provision market. 

This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Syrian Arab Republic.

This site provides full text of the labor law in Syria

This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Syrian Arab Republic.

This site provides full text of the labor law in Syria

Average prices of more than 40 products and services in Syria. Prices of restaurants, food, transportation, utilities and housing are included.

Cost of living comparisons in more than 1,600 cities all over the world.

Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in Syria – culture, greetings, gestures,etiquette, taboos, negotiations, gift-giving, and more.

See “People and Society” on this CIA site

Facts and statistics on the demographics of Syria.

West of the Jabal an Nusayreyah, Syria has a Mediterranean influenced climate, characterized by long, hot and mostly dry summers and mild, wet winters. Regional variations in temperature are comparatively slight, due to the relatively small size of the country.

Syria is an arid and semi-arid country with limited water resources. In fact, about three-fifths of the country has less than 25 centimeters of rain a year. The country has large areas of semi-arid and desert environment.

See “Safety and Security” on this US Department of State site.

Latest travel advice for Syria including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health

Education expenditure has gradually been increasing and, although a poor country, Syria now has a solid basic education system. Control is centralized with the ministry of education that determines the curriculum. Education is compulsory through grades 1 to 9

Although Syria’s education system was hardest hit by the five-year war, considerable efforts are being made to revive the sector

Discover the complete list of Syria’s public holidays for 2016 and 2017.

Quick reference guide to public holidays dates in Syria

It is unwise to make any remarks about President Assad, the government and the Ba’ath Party and such comments may cause alarm. Syria is not a democracy and critical comments regarding the Syrian government are to be avoided.

Syria obtained observer status (May 2010) in the WTO, an initial step toward full membership, in part because the U.S., EU and Israel abstained from the vote, but also due to vocal support from Egypt.

Export license information from the US Department of Commerce

Syria Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at border

Private Sector both face a shortage of skilled labour and

Bilateral EU-Syria relations are governed by the Cooperation Agreement signed in 1977

 3,399 traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 144hotels in Syria.

Find Syria hotels with spacious rooms and attentive service

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Syria and strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately

3976 real travel reviews, tips, and photos from real travelers and locals inSyria at VirtualTourist.