by Burak Akinci
ANKARA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- As attention shifts to Syria's future following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad's government, regional player and neighbour Türkiye could assist the war-torn nation in its economic recovery in the long term with its geographic proximity, industrial strength, and historical trade ties with Syria, experts have said.
With decades of war and political turmoil leaving Syria's economy in ruins, rebuilding the nation presents an enormous challenge.
Türkiye has voiced its commitment to Syria's post-conflict reconstruction, with Turkish officials signaling their willingness to provide logistical support, technical expertise, and investment in key sectors such as construction, agriculture, and energy.
According to analysts, the revival of connections between Syria and Türkiye, which shares a 900-km borderline, could act as a catalyst to Syria's economic growth.
Türkiye's transportation networks, including railways and highways that connect to Syrian borders, would facilitate the flow of goods, services, and people, said Oytun Orhan, a senior researcher at Ankara's Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies.
"Reopening trade routes and border crossings that remain closed because of the civil war could significantly boost regional trade," Orhan told Xinhua.
Trained workforces also play a pivotal role in Syria's reconstruction, to which Türkiye could have a major contribution by training and equipping Syrians with the skills needed to rebuild their country, the analyst noted.
"Joint initiatives between Türkiye and international organizations could further enhance education and vocational training programs for Syrians," the analyst added.
In addition, energy is another sector where Türkiye could provide vital assistance, experts said, noting that Turkish companies' expertise in renewable energy and infrastructure development could power Syria's recovery.
In December last year, Türkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar expressed his nation's intention to assist Syria in boosting oil and natural gas production.
"Collaborative projects aimed at restoring Syria's power grid, developing clean energy sources, and boosting gas and oil production could be set up," said Selim Esen, a specialist on energy issues based in Ankara.
He, however, noted that U.S. and European Union-imposed sanctions continue to be a significant obstacle to reconstruction projects.
Investments will also be urgently needed to rebuild roads, develop air passenger and cargo services at Aleppo and Damascus airports, and renew Syria's ports at Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean Sea.
Türkiye has already sent specialists and engineers to Syria to prepare Damascus airport for international flights and restore railway lines for passenger and freight transport.
"To restore Syria's economic infrastructure and trade lines is one of our priorities so that the country can stand on its feet again," a Turkish official told Xinhua.
This source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Türkiye's business community is monitoring developments in Syria and is ready to contribute to the Syrian economic recovery.
Nevertheless, while saying the end of the conflict would provide opportunities for Türkiye, the source sounded a note of caution. "We have to see that the new government has everything under control."■