For 1st time in Syria's history, merchants' head is from outside Damascus

The decision made by the Minister of Economy and Industry of the Syrian transitional government, Mohamed Nidal al-Shaar, to appoint members of the executive office of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce and to appoint a chief from Idlib, sparked a wave of silent criticism and widespread condemnation, especially since it came from outside the longstanding Damascene names classified as "Shahbandar of Merchants" (chief merchants). 

The prevailing custom over the past decades was to appoint the president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce from among the major merchants of Damascus, whose business volume was classified as excellent, while Aleppo was granted the presidency of the Federation of Chambers of Industry.

The head of both federations is elected from among the winners of the elections. However, the new decision, issued two days ago, appointing the president of the Federation by decision of the Minister of Economy and Industry without elections, was considered by some to be a violation of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce Law and its bylaws.

A number of merchants questioned the background of the federation new head, Alaa Omar al-Saleh, and the extent of his business. They expressed surprise at bypassing the well-known Damascene businessman and head of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, Issam Zuhair Ghreiwati, who enjoys a high commercial standing and extensive international activity, in favor of a figure known only for being from Idlib.

A prominent merchant, who preferred to remain anonymous, told ANHA agency that competition for the federation presidency was intense before the fall of the regime, but that it did not deviate from the established norm that this position is reserved for the major merchants of Damascus, and a deputy to the federation was appointed to create a balance in the competition, expressing his fear of the upcoming work mechanism, the marginalization of merchants, and the confiscation of their right to elect the federation president, contrary to the provisions of the bylaws.

Traders also criticized the four-year term limit for the presidency, considering it a violation of merchants' freedom during this period. In addition, they questioned the legal basis upon which the decision was based.

In the same context, several members of the Aleppo Chamber of Industry's Board of Directors submitted their resignations to the minister himself, declaring that "marginalization" and the failure to respond to their demands are the reason, where the minister had invited them to a meeting without listening to their demands, which increased traders and industrialists' concerns about the future of their businesses in the coming years and the impact this would have on their decisions and commercial interests.

Furthermore, some traders stated that the silence regarding these developments was due to awaiting the outcome of the situation, given the political and economic tensions currently raging in the country.

J.J

ANHA