How Syrian Entrepreneurs in Türkiye Are Navigating the Post-Assad Transition
How Syrian Entrepreneurs in Türkiye Are Navigating the Post-Assad Transition
Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syrian entrepreneurs in Türkiye are facing major decisions about return, investment, and the future of their businesses. Building on an earlier rapid assessment conducted immediately after the transition, this report presents findings from a survey of 704 Syrian SME owners across Türkiye conducted in March–April 2026. The findings show that while many entrepreneurs are actively preparing to expand or relocate operations to Syria, significant barriers remain, particularly around infrastructure, access to finance, security, and regulatory clarity. At the same time, many businesses are pursuing cross-border strategies that maintain operations in Türkiye while building new economic connections with Syria.