Burniah Meets the Chamber
Finance Minister Mohammad Yusur Burniah met on 14 May 2026 with the board of the Damascus Countryside Chamber of Commerce to discuss several files tied to Syria's new tax framework, including the tax advance and the consumption spending fee. The meeting was conveyed through the ministry's own Telegram channel.
Lower Rates, Simpler Procedures
Burniah said the new direction for the tax system rests on cutting tax rates and streamlining administrative procedures, in exchange for stronger compliance and a higher rate of enforcement. The aim, he said, is to strike a balance between the state's revenue requirements and the interests of investors.
A Private-Sector Pitch
The minister described the tax system as "a tool to support and encourage the private sector, and to stimulate business growth," while saying the government would continue to back low-income and most vulnerable groups. He stressed the importance of confidence and continuous cooperation between the Finance Ministry and the country's chambers of commerce and industry, as a way of developing economic policy and improving the business environment.
Files on the Table
The specific files put on the table included the tax advance and the consumption spending fee, alongside the broader overhaul of rates and procedures. Burniah framed the changes as a means of balancing the state's revenue needs against the conditions investors seek, with the ministry pairing rate cuts with a parallel push on compliance.
An Earlier Round in Damascus
Earlier in May, the minister held a similar discussion with the chair and members of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, covering a package of tax reforms together with the tax advance, the consumption spending tax and the sales tax. Officials presented both meetings as part of a wider effort to modernize Syria's tax system and deepen the partnership with the private sector.