France Launches Two-Year Technical Assistance Programme for the Central Bank of Syria
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The Arab Post
- . October 9, 2026
- . Update: October 9, 2026 8:47 pm
France officially opened a comprehensive France two-year technical assistance programme for the Central Bank of Syria (CBS) today. Syria Central Bank overhaul, The aim of the initiative is to transform the financial landscape of the country, enhance risk-based banking supervision, and improve key monetary policy instruments.
This is a major step towards the reconstruction of Syria’s bilateral relations, aimed at the structural rehabilitation of the banking system and the economy of the country.
Who is Implementing the Financial Overhaul?
The vast support mechanism is being coordinated by the French Treasury Directorate General and Expertise France, the French public agency for international technical cooperation, according to official briefings by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
Most importantly, the operation also involves top financial experts brought on board by the Bank of France. The French central bank offers practical training and technical assistance to foreign public institutions via its International Banking and Finance Institute (IBFI). The focus is on introducing new governance processes and making optimal use of financial instruments, while also securing the strict implementation of the financial processes within Damascus’ financial network.
This institutional partnership at a high level ensures the banking reforms in Syria meet the strict international banking regulatory standards.
Fulfilling Bilateral Commitments – Syria Central Bank overhaul
The launch of this France two-year technical assistance programme is a direct outcome of the historic diplomatic breakthroughs achieved earlier this summer.
In July 2016, during French President Emmanuel Macron’s historic visit to Damascus, France committed to providing broad support for reconstruction of the local economy in areas of trade, transport, and banking, the Anadolu Agency reported. The speed at which France has progressed from MOUs to concrete actions in the field shows the country’s will to play a key role in the economic stabilization of Syria.
What Will It Change for Syria’s Economy and Banking Sector?
The Central Bank of Syria has been subjected to huge structural limitations and a great deal of international sanctions for decades. All of this changes with the injection of top tier French regulatory expertise.
The CBS can strengthen the tools of monetary policy and improve risk-based banking supervision, thus helping to stabilize the Syrian Pound and fight the domestic inflation. In addition, local commercial banking system needs to demonstrate its ability to handle cross-border transactions efficiently, safely, and without regulatory hassles before it can once more attract large-scale foreign direct investment.
The use of Expertise France professionals allows local administrators to learn how to proactively reduce the risk of vulnerabilities during the operation. The state is taking key steps in closing the last financial hurdles by implementing internationally accepted banking practices. The successful completion of this demanding capacity development initiative will represent, ultimately, a sign from Damascus to the world of a city ready to put in place a solid infrastructure for safe re-engagement with the international financial system.
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