The private sector is a partner, not an adversary... Striking statements from the Syrian Minister of Finance.

Minister of Finance, Mohammed Yusr Berniah, visited the Damascus Chamber of Commerce accompanied by a high-ranking official delegation including his deputy, Mohammed Aba Zaid, the Director-General of the General Tax Authority, Nasser Al-Abdullah, the Director of Finance in Damascus, Mohammed Al-Saleh, and the Minister's advisor, Mohammed Al-Khadir. He was welcomed by the Chamber's Chairman of the Board, Issam Al-Ghreiwati, his deputies, council members, as well as a select group of prominent traders and industrialists responsible for income tax. During the meeting, Minister Berniah emphasized that his presence was not to deliver speeches or impose decisions, but to directly listen to the experienced opinions of business figures, explaining that any successful financial policy must stem from genuine dialogue with those in the field. He highlighted his strong belief in partnership with the private sector, affirming the Ministry's openness to the business environment, working to facilitate and develop the activities of traders and industrialists for the public benefit of the state and its citizens. The Minister added that the Ministry of Finance is no longer just a tax collection and disbursement entity as in the past, but has evolved to create a fair, simple, and transparent tax environment that does not burden merchants or investors, but encourages them to operate in a safe and organized climate. He emphasized that no future decision will be made without prior discussion with stakeholders, aiming to reach consensus and provide well-thought-out justifications and alternatives. Regarding sanctions, the Minister revealed positive indicators from the U.S. Treasury Department, signaling continued efforts towards a comprehensive lifting of sanctions, affirming that the future holds promise for Syria and its economy. Engaging with the audience, the Minister addressed the issue of simplifying fees, stating that they will be made understandable to the extent that a fifth-grade student can comprehend them, unlike the past when tax systems were complex and mysterious. He assured that the Ministry will build trust with traders through voluntary compliance, not through policing methods, explaining that those who pay their taxes will know precisely how and where they are spent. The Minister promised to study the proposals presented by the attendees, covering important topics such as income tax, easing the tax burden on production necessities, private school fees, the insurance sector, and salary tax, ensuring that dealing with them will be realistic and flexible. Speaking frankly, the Minister mentioned that tax evasion was previously acceptable under corrupt systems where money was squandered and not invested in the people's interest, but he stressed that the current phase is different, with the state seeking to analyze its resources as traders analyze their fortunes. In conclusion, the Minister announced the imminent opening of the Damascus Stock Exchange next week, a step to enhance the investment climate and stimulate the economy. On his part, the President of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, Issam Al-Ghreiwati, praised what he described as a "historical transformation" in the relationship between the state and the private sector, affirming that the new, free, and democratic Syria deserves exceptional decisions that align with the changing reality, especially in light of the lifting of European and American sanctions. Al-Ghreiwati outlined the challenges faced by Syrian merchants in the past, confirming that the recent actions taken by the state in dealing with citizens and traders represent a long-awaited achievement. At the end of the meeting, Al-Ghreiwati thanked the Minister for his presence and sincere responses, confirming that traders and industrialists will stand by the government and continue to fulfill their duties in a genuine partnership based on trust and transparency, to build the new Syria.