Reopening of the Kisbe Border Crossing Between Turkey and Syria After 14 Years
December 31, 2024, 9:47 am

Reopening of the Kisbe Border Crossing Between Turkey and Syria After 14 Years

معبر كسب

Turkish authorities have announced the reopening of the Kisbe border crossing with Syria after 14 years of closure, in a move aimed at facilitating the return of Syrians to their homeland amid what has been described as eased procedures.

In this context, Ahmed Hussain, a data entry clerk at the Kisbe crossing, explained that the crossing sees between 150 to 200 people cross daily. He added that "the entry procedures are simple and facilitated," involving a stamp for entering Syrian territory and the registration of personal data for all family members, regardless of their nationalities or Turkish identities.

The Kisbe crossing is one of several crossings that connect Syria with Turkey, such as the Ceylanpınar (Bab al-Hawa), Yayladağı (Kisbe), Öncüpınar (Bab al-Salama), and the Afrin crossing. It has been closed since the beginning of the revolution in Syria in 2011 but has now returned as an active corridor due to political and regional changes.

Many Syrians hope that the reopening of the crossing will alleviate their burdens, whether in returning to their homeland or facilitating travel between the two countries, as Turkey continues its efforts to organize the return of refugees.

Earlier, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya revealed four detailed steps that Syrians in Turkey must follow for a safe and voluntary return to their homeland. During a meeting with Anadolu Agency, he emphasized the Turkish authorities' commitment to easing return procedures through six crossings, including Ceylanpınar in Hatay, Öncüpınar in Kilis, Yayladağı in Hatay, Karkamış in Gaziantep, Zeytin Dalı in Hatay, and Akçakale in Şanlıurfa.

It was also announced that an immigration management office would be established at the Ankara Embassy in Damascus and its consulate in Aleppo to facilitate the return procedures of Syrians, including providing options for transporting their belongings and vehicles.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.