Syria Resumes Postal Services: Cooperation with Türkiye on E-Commerce on the Agenda

Syria has launched a comprehensive restructuring process in its postal services. Intercity parcel transportation, which had been disrupted for more than 10 years across the country, has resumed operations, while the international shipping network has also reopened. As the Syrian Postal Corporation works on partnerships with Türkiye and Qatar in e-commerce logistics, the government is holding discussions with Meta on reactivating digital commerce services.

Syria's Postal Network Expands with 164 New and Reopened Service Points

Imadeddin Hamad, Director General of the Syrian Postal Corporation, announced that 164 postal service points had been opened or reopened over the past year. Of these locations, 111 resumed operations, while 53 were newly established. As part of intercity transportation services, which resumed in May 2026, parcels weighing up to 30 kilograms are being accepted.

International parcel acceptance resumed on July 1. The first international parcel arrived in the country from Jordan on July 5. As of October 1, the corporation also began shipping parcels to destinations worldwide through the Universal Postal Union network.

Discussions Underway with Türkiye on E-Commerce Logistics

Syria is holding discussions with Türkiye and Qatar as part of efforts to integrate its postal infrastructure into international e-commerce. The corporation has held talks with PTT to connect Turkish e-commerce platforms with local delivery services in Syria.

While work is underway with Qatar Post and Qatar Airways on international postal transportation, the use of Qatar Post's CONNECTED platform is being considered to facilitate shopping from online marketplaces in Europe and the United States. The Syrian Postal Corporation has also signed agreements with postal organizations in Saudi Arabia and Jordan covering e-commerce, logistics, and national addressing services.

Discussions with Meta on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

As part of Syria's digital commerce initiatives, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdulsalam Haykal met with Fares Akkad, Meta's Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa, in Damascus. The meeting addressed the reactivation of advertising tools and commercial services offered through Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Haykal stated that they aim to support e-commerce entrepreneurs by expanding fiber-optic networks and improving internet infrastructure. Akkad, meanwhile, stated that Meta's platforms could help small and medium-sized enterprises reach local and international markets. Meta's Silk Link project was also discussed during the meeting.

$346,000 in Support for Syria's Postal Services

A $346,000 grant was provided by the Universal Postal Union's Quality of Service Fund to modernize Syria's postal infrastructure. The funding will be allocated to the procurement of vehicles and motorcycles for postal transportation. The corporation has also obtained a license from the Central Bank of Syria for international money transfers.

The service is planned to be launched first in Saudi Arabia, followed by other countries, including Türkiye. Imad al-Shehadeh, Director of Postal Services, reported that the corporation's statistical indicators recorded 20% growth compared with the same period in 2025.

Infrastructure Development in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Retail

Syria's postal and digital commerce initiatives prioritize parcel transportation, payment systems, online sales channels, and retail businesses' access to digital markets. While no specific application involving artificial intelligence has been announced, the country continues to develop digital infrastructure and international logistics connections to support e-commerce operations.