First Public Statement
Mohammad Safwat Abdul Hamid Rislan delivered his first public remarks as Syria's new central bank governor on Saturday, 16 May 2026, in a post on his Facebook page. He described the moment as falling within one of the most sensitive phases in the country's modern economic history, with the next period placing significant challenges in front of monetary policy.
Judged by Results
"Trust is not built with words but with action, transparency and results," Rislan wrote, setting the bar he intends to apply to his own tenure. He added that the value of any monetary policy is measured only by how clearly it reflects in the daily lives and living stability of Syrian citizens.
"Our work will be evaluated by what is achieved on the ground, not by what is said in statements," Rislan said, calling it his personal commitment from day one.
No Improvised Fixes
The new governor ruled out temporary solutions and improvised measures, saying the coming phase will rely on what he called quiet, responsible work to rebuild monetary and financial stability gradually and sustainably. He pointed to the scale of the economic and livelihood challenges Syrians face daily as the immediate backdrop for the policy reset he is signaling.
Transition From Husrieh
Rislan thanked President Ahmad al-Sharaa for the assignment and acknowledged the work of his predecessor, Abdul Qader Husrieh, during the previous period, wishing him success in his next tasks. The appointment was formalized by Presidential Decree No. 99 of 2026, naming Mohammad Safwat Abdul Hamid Rislan governor of the Central Bank of Syria.
A Shared National Responsibility
The governor framed economic stability as a shared national responsibility requiring cooperation between the state, the banking sector, the private sector, and Syrian expertise inside the country and abroad. He also expressed appreciation for those who placed their confidence in him as he assumed the role, framing the appointment as a national charge rather than a personal achievement. The post offered no specific monetary targets, instead anchoring the new tenure in the principles of transparency, action, and measurable outcomes that Rislan said would guide the central bank's work in the period ahead.