Syria is emerging exhausted from a war that is considered one of the most horrific of modern times. It left hundreds of thousands dead and missing, millions of refugees, entire cities destroyed, a collapsed economy, and a non-existent infrastructure. In the midst of all this chaos, there is a glimmer of hope – that is to rebuild the exhausted country. But the economies of neighbouring countries directly affect Syria.

Syria is surrounded by five countries of varying economic strength and interdependence, the strongest of which is Turkey. The country has the longest border with Syria and an economy that is among the 20nstrongest economies in the world. To Syria's west lies Iraq. Since it is suffering from a limited economic crisis, trade with Syria is also limited. In the south, Jordan is the most politically stable country among its neighbours, but the Jordanian economy does not have much to offer Syria.

Syrian borders with Palestine and Israel are completely closed, hence there is no trade between the  countries. As for Lebanon, which has also been experiencing a stifling economic crisis that has been going on for several years,  it's expected that it will not affect Syria very much.

How the Syrian economy is affected by neighbouring countries

The Turkish economy will have the most influence on Syria, especially Northern Syria, for two reasons: the first is that the Turkish economy is the strongest neighbouring economy. Turkey has been exporting goods and commodities to northern Syria, and today it continues to export them to the rest of the Syrian territories. Second, the Turkish border is the longest border between Syria and neighbouring countries. Moreover, the Turkish border gates with Syria are also one of the most important for bringing international aid into Syria.

Since Syria is now witnessing some kind of stability, many Turkish investors will invest there. But, although the political situation in Syria has changed, there are hundreds of thousands of Syrians working in Turkey who may not return to their country and will continue to send remittances to their families in Syria.

The Lebanese economy impacts the Syrian economy, as traditionally been the case, especially in light of the international sanctions imposed on it. The Lebanese banking sector was an outlet for Syrians to transfer money and conduct financial transactions before the financial crisis in Lebanon. The Syrian market also relies on some Lebanese goods and services such as food products and basic materials. Lebanon is also a major station for the entry of investments and goods into Syria, especially the port of Beirut, which played a major role in securing the needs of Syria.

The Iraqi economy is mainly based on oil. But despite this, it plays a vital role in influencing the future of Syria due to the historical, geographical and commercial relations between the two countries. The most important factors of influence are bilateral trade and economic integration. Iraq is also one of the important markets for Syrian products, especially agricultural and industrial products. Any development in the Iraqi economy, such as economic growth or crises, directly affects the volume of Syrian exports.

The stability of the Iraqi economy enhances joint transportation projects such as land routes and border crossings, which facilitates the movement of goods and supports the Syrian economic recovery.

Another factor is infrastructure and energy projects. Since Iraq has huge oil reserves, it and could be a source of energy for Syria. Cooperation in the energy sector could include supplying Syria with oil or re-operating pipelines between the two countries. Iraq could also be a partner in supporting reconstruction projects in Syria through its expertise and companies it knows in the construction sector.

However, Turkey remains the most influential economy determining the future of the Syrian economy among neighboring countries. The economic influence of all neighboring countries in Syria is linked to two main factors: first, the strength of that country's economy, and second, and the relationship of that country with the new Syrian government.

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Photo: Syria's neighbours will affect its future