Syria

The Syrian economy is slowly moving from a nationalised and interventionist economy to an economy that leaves private initiatives play a greater part. The economy's liberalisation only applies to banking sector, for the moment. The government has been trying to adopt a reviving budget policy to go with the moderate economic growth since 2000. The IFM estimated Syria's GDP growth rate at 3.6% in 2004, 3.5% in 2005. The IFM forecasts a 4% in 2006. The strong regional political instability, especially the country's proximity to Iraq and Syria's contested role in Lebanon, is limiting foreign investment. Syrians left Lebanon in April 2005.

Syria's economy strongly relies on agriculture sector's results, which account for about 30% of the GDP and employs one third of the active population. Cotton is the second most imported product in the country. The oil sector also holds an important role. Oil products sales add up to 60% of the country's exports. Gas production is developing, especially with the gas pipeline plan that links Banias' port to Jordan, or with Deir Ez Zor gas plan (held byTotal and Conoco). Syrian Diaspora's capitals repatriation is another significant source of income in the country. The manufacturing industry is little productive and lightly competitive.

Syria signifies its will to open up to international trade. Free-trade agreements have been implemented with Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco and Irak. Syria signed an association agreement with the European Union in October 2004. Its top three export countries are Italy, France and Irak.
The country's top three import partners are Ukraine, China and Turkey. The country mainly imports capital goods, consumer goods and vehicles; it mainly exports oil, textile products, cotton and food products.

Population

Main Cities Population Damascus   1,600,000   Alep   3,035,000   Homs   1,247,000   Hama   1,120,000   Hassak?   1,050,000   Idlib   922,000   Total population (millions): 17.8 Source: World Bank 2004   Urban population: 50% Source: World Bank 2004   Average annual population growth: 2.3% Source: World Bank 2004   Surface area (km²) : 185,180   Population origin Origin of the population % Of the population Arabic 90 % Kurdish 6.5 % Other 3.5 % Languages Official language: Arabic Spoken languages: Kurdish (spoken in the North and Northeast), Armenian (mainly in Haleb), Turkish (east of the Euphrates) and Aramean (biblical language spoken in the North of Damascus). French is little spoken, English prevails in huge cities. Business language: Arab, French and English.   Free translation tools in Syria : Arjeeb Free English-Arabic-English translation of texts and web pages Ectaco Free Arabic-English-Arabic dictionary Religion Religious practises : Sunni Muslims 74% Christians 10% Others 16% (especially alawites, druzes and jews). Political system This country is a socialist and military people's democracy. The Constitution dates from 1973. The Executive power is entrusted to the President of the Republic (elected by universal suffrage for 7 years) and to the President of the Council of Ministers (the Head of State forms the government on proposition of the Prime Minister). As regards to the legislative power, it is held by the Council of the People which is composed of 250 representatives, elected for five years. Capital: damas. Head of State: President Bachar-elAssad, since July, 18th of 2000. Prime Minister: Mohamed Moustafa Mero, since May 2000. Climate   Tourism Number of visitors in Syria 2002 2003 2004 World rank Number of visitors (1000) 2870   2788   3032   n.a. Source : World Tourisme Organization, data available in November 2005   Tourist sites -In Damascus: old fortified city with the Bab-as-Salama door and the Touma door. There is also the Qala' At fortress of Damascus and the Ommayad Mosque. - Lattakia is the main port of Syria. The tourist sector shows a sharp dynamism. Beaches must be seen. At 16 kilometres from Lattakia, there is a famous historic site: Ras-Shamra (headquarters of the monarchy of Ugarit). -In Aleppo: it is the second biggest city of the country. It is mainly an industrial and commercial area. Do not forget to visit the Aleppo's old citadel, the big Jami'a Zakariyyeh mosque as well as Meolin? -Crac of the Knights: a 13 towers fortress. -Palmyre: Ruins of temples. Very tourist site located right in the desert. For more information about tourism in Syria , check out the following web site(s) : Ministry of Tourism in Syria Food Traditional dishes The Syrian specialties are very close to the Lebanese, Greek and Turkish ones. Kubbehs: beef balls stuffed with onions and nuts. Yabrak: vine leaves stuffed with rice and beef crumbs. The food is usually rather spicy and very varied.   Food-related taboos Alcohol is not subject to any limitation except during the period of the Ramadan when it is forbidden to drink alcohol drinks in public places even for non-muslims.