Wide Protest in Damascus Against Amendment of Commercial Lease Contracts

In a clear escalation of tension within the commercial sector in Damascus, more than 300 merchants of 'Al-Farouq' shops have signed an official protest petition submitted to the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, expressing their strong rejection of what they described as a 'dangerous decision' related to the formation of a committee to study legislative instruments and effective instructions regarding lease contracts, especially those subject to judicial extension.

The merchants warned that any amendment to these contracts could open the door to turmoil within the markets, especially since 'Al-Farouq' shops represent a significant percentage of the markets in Damascus. They emphasized that commercial lease relationships are fundamentally different from residential ones and cannot be subjected to the same standards.

In a swift response, the Damascus Chamber of Commerce held an extraordinary meeting of its board to discuss the repercussions of the Ministry of Justice's decision.

The Chamber's First Deputy President affirmed the Chamber's commitment to conveying the merchants' voices and defending the stability of commercial transactions in the capital, while also praising the openness of the Chairman of the Judicial Committee, Judge Anas Mansour Al-Suleiman, to dialogue and consultation.

The Chamber's board called for organizing extensive dialogue seminars on the subject, inviting the expansion of the committee's membership to include representatives from affected markets and chambers of commerce in various provinces, to ensure comprehensive and fair representation of all parties.

The discussions expanded to include heads of sectoral committees, traders from various professions, as well as legal experts, who called for postponing the decision due to the potentially 'grave' repercussions that threaten the stability of the Syrian commercial market.

An real estate expert pointed out that about half of the commercial establishments in Damascus operate under the 'Al-Farouq' system, making any legal amendment in this area have a significant impact, calling for a thorough study and postponement of any potential decision.

It appears that this issue has become a major topic of discussion between the Ministry of Justice and the Chamber of Commerce, amid growing demands to broaden the scope of dialogue to avoid any steps that could threaten the economic and social fabric in the capital, Damascus.