Türkiye’s Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, attended the opening ceremony of the newly modernized Customs Gate in the Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa, on the Syrian border.

The upgraded customs gate is expected to play a key role in enhancing the region's economy by streamlining export and import processes.

The modernization of the Ceylanpınar Customs Gate includes a renewed infrastructure and expanded service area, aimed at improving service quality and ensuring faster, more secure trade transactions.

During the ceremony, Minister Bolat highlighted the strategic significance of Şanlıurfa, both culturally and geopolitically. He underscored the importance of security measures along the Syrian border, stating, “The climate of peace and security in the region, achieved through the security measures taken on our Syrian border, will play an important role in revitalizing commercial life, along with the new services at our customs gates.”

Bolat also noted the critical role that customs gates play in Türkiye’s economy, pointing out that in 2023, one-quarter of the country’s tax revenues were collected at these gates. “Our customs gates are essential for trade along the East-West axis, across land, air, sea, and rail routes, and they contribute significantly to our trade and tax revenues,” he added.

The Minister expressed optimism that the modernization of the Ceylanpınar Customs Gate will significantly bolster trade in the region and contribute to the overall efficiency of Türkiye’s customs services. (ILKHA)