-
Damascus Chamber of Commerce: Consecutive Administrative Changes Reflect Institutional Instability
-
Commercial and economic institutions in Syria suffer from the consequences of centralized governance that allows for top-down appointments instead of respecting election mechanisms and genuine represe
The Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Syria's interim caretaker government has issued a new decision appointing members to the Damascus Chamber of Commerce board of directors for the second time within a short period, reflecting a state of institutional instability and the absence of a clear vision in managing economic institutions.
Decision No. 1189, signed by Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Maher Khalil Al-Hasan, includes canceling previous decisions and certifying the election results of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce board members for the 2024-2028 term. This move reflects the continued approach of central intervention in the affairs of economic institutions that should enjoy decision-making independence.
The new decision includes the appointment of 12 members to the Chamber's board: Hamza Al-Jabban, Ammar Al-Bardan, Basel Hadaya, Nadine Naji Shawi, Layla Al-Samman, Farid Talal Khoury, Issam Ghariwati, Mohammad Beiraqdar, Luay Burhan Al-Ashqar, Obaidullah Al-Zayed, Darwish Ajlani, and Muhannad Sharaf, in addition to a representative from the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection. This composition raises questions about selection criteria and how well it represents Damascus's commercial sector.
The decision states that the mentioned board members will elect executive office members according to Law 8 of 2020, and that the new board will carry out its duties until the end of the current term. This procedure reflects the nature of the centralized system that imposes top-down appointments instead of supporting the independence of economic institutions.
The decision was issued on 26 Ramadan 1446 AH, corresponding to March 26, 2025, and comes shortly after a previous change to the Chamber's board, indicating the continued state of instability in Syrian economic institutions and highlighting the need for radical reforms.
These consecutive changes come amid a severe economic crisis in the country that requires institutional stability and a clear economic plan, rather than administrative confusion that exacerbates the crisis and hinders economic recovery efforts. It highlights the multiple disadvantages of centralized governance that disrupts private sector initiatives and fosters a culture of dependency.
These repeated changes are one manifestation of the continuation of the approach that prevailed under the previous regime, based on controlling the joints of the economy and disrupting free market mechanisms, instead of adopting economic policies based on decentralization, empowering the private sector, and enhancing its role in the development process.
