A Branch Reopens in Raqqa
The Central Bank of Syria reopened its branch in Raqqa on 25 June 2026, restoring formal banking services to the northern governorate after the office had been shut since 2013. The bank's governor, Safwat Raslan, led the ceremony, with Raqqa's governor, Abdulrahman Salamah, in attendance.
The branch director called the reopening an important step in supporting economic and investment activity in the province.
Thirteen Years Closed
The branch had ceased operations for 13 years, a gap that forced residents and merchants to travel to other governorates to complete financial transactions. Officials said the long closure had created significant hardship for citizens and traders across the province.
The years without a local branch left businesses in Raqqa dependent on offices elsewhere, adding time and cost to routine dealings and weighing on commercial activity.
Services on Offer
The reopened branch will provide currency exchange and payments for wheat receipts, among other financial services. Officials said the move would ease procedures for residents and farmers and support the flow of money through the local economy.
Officials added that reactivating the branch would help revive financial institutions in the governorate and channel transactions back through formal banking.
Banking Returns to the North
Restoring a central bank presence in Raqqa carries weight beyond the counter services on offer. A functioning branch lets local businesses, traders, and farmers handle payments and currency operations without long journeys, and signals the reintegration of a governorate long cut off from the formal financial system.
Part of a Wider Push
The reopening forms part of government efforts to reactivate public institutions and revive economic activity across Raqqa after years of suspension. One resident described it as a step toward restoring basic services the province had lost for years, expressing hope it would improve daily financial dealings.