28.08.2025 21:50
The first export to Syria in 14 years was carried out through the Cilvegözü Customs Gate in the Reyhanlı district of Hatay. Officials from the International Transporters Association stated that this opening presents a significant opportunity for logistics transportation.
For the first time in 14 years, a shipment consisting of 4 trucks was made today from the Cilvegözü Customs Gate in Reyhanlı, Hatay, to the capital of Syria, Damascus.
FIRST EXPORT FROM TURKEY TO SYRIA AFTER 14 YEARS Since the outbreak of the civil war in Syria in 2011, truck exports to the country had not been possible until today, when a trial shipment was conducted from Cilvegözü. After the ceremony held in Cilvegözü, the trucks entered the customs area. Following the necessary procedures, the trucks set off for Damascus, the capital of Syria.
4 VEHICLES SET OFF FOR TRIAL PURPOSES Kemal Gül, Vice President of the International Transporters Association (UND), stated in Cilvegözü, "We are proud. Today we are happy and joyful. After 14 years, our export as logistics transportation has opened to Syria. Our joy is endless. Both our ministries and our government, as well as our President, have made great efforts in this project. We thank them on behalf of the sector. As UND, we have been part of this project. Our members prepared and allocated their vehicles. We have loaded the goods. Right now, we have loaded and sent 4 vehicles for trial purposes. Of course, when we think of logistics, the first thing that comes to mind is time. During these 14 years, we have conducted our trade over long distances, both by 'Ro-Ro' and other long routes. We have gone to Gulf countries via Iran. We have made very costly and time-consuming transports. This will provide us with significant economic benefits. The transportation will not be limited to Syria alone. We hope to start soon through Syria to countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. We are sending vegetables, fruits, and dry food in the trucks. Transportation will continue," he said.
"OUR ROADS HAVE GROWN A LOT IN 14 YEARS" Raif Ay, a member of the UND High Honor Board, stated: "Today is a proud day for us as UND. We are experiencing the rightful pride of starting transit transports into the country through Syria after 14 years. Our roads have grown a lot in 14 years, we have spent a lot, and we have covered a lot of distance. With the opening of the Syria line, we will continue our way with faster and less costly prices, God willing. We will experience the pride of transporting quickly and economically both inside Syria and to Gulf countries. If we can contribute even a little to our country's exports, we are happy. We thank our President, our Minister of Trade, our Minister of Transport, and the customs directors who opened this way for us. We are experiencing the rightful pride of a beautiful line and a beautiful opening. We hope to have quick entries and exits on the Syrian side as well. We will carry out our transports to the Middle East with a daily capacity of 800-1000 vehicles."
For 14 years, in the exports made by trucks from the Cilvegözü Customs Gate, the vehicles would drop off their loads at the transfer area between Cilvegözü and the Bab-El Hava Border Gate in Syria and return to Turkey. From now on, the trucks will go all the way to the cities within Syria.