Activities

International Chamber of Commerce Syria - General Assembly 2024

ٍSeven Gates Hotel Damascus - 05 November 2024

ICC Syria General Assembly for the year 2024, was held at Seven Gates Damascus Hotel on Tuesday, November 05, 2024,

Were present, as well, Deputy Minister, engineer Ms. Rasha Karkoki and representatives of the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, Corporates Directorate and ICC Board Members and members within the quorum limitation as defined by the bylaws of the International Chamber of Commerce Syria.

ICC Syria Chair, Mr. Naji Chaoui opened the General Assembly by welcoming the Deputy Minister, as well as all members present. Mr. Chaoui affirmed that the Syrian business community has shown resilience and dynamism despite the challenges, remaining steadfast amid global economic conditions. Mr. Chaoui also emphasized the role of international chambers of commerce, including ICC Syria, in fostering effective communication with stakeholders and economic decision-makers at both national and global levels.

The Deputy Minister delivered a speech in which she commended the role of the chamber and emphasized the importance of partnership with ministry committees to explore opportunities for advancing Syria’s economic and commercial sectors, aiming to strengthen and develop the economy both locally and globally.

ICC Syria 2023 Annual Report, in addition to TIR and BUSINESSMED activities were overviewed by ICC Syria Chair, Mr. Naji Chaoui.

Mr. Marwan Affaki, Board Member/Head of Insurance Commission, addresses the importance of strengthening Syria’s insurance sector with global expertise and unifying national efforts to enhance the insurance market. He noted that ICC Syria had initiated the reactivation of the Insurance Commission at the national level, aiming to establish it as a foundation for its eventual re-establishment internationally. This initiative received strong support from ICC Paris.

The Commission was established and began its operations with the participation of general managers from several Syrian insurance companies across the public and private sectors, as well as the Syrian Insurance Federation.

Since 2022, the committee has achieved several accomplishments, including:

* Specialized training on “Reinsurance Practices,” which enhanced the sector’s workforce capabilities, followed by the committee’s launch ceremony.

* Coordination with the Insurance Supervision Authority and the Ministry of Tourism to direct travel agencies to work exclusively with licensed Syrian insurance companies for travel insurance.

* Conducting a study on the impact of increasing mandatory car insurance compensation limits without raising premiums on companies, which was reviewed with the Insurance Supervision Authority. With effective collaboration between the Authority and the Ministry of Finance, the study’s results were adopted, leading to an increase in compensation limits and an adjustment in premiums.

* Proposing the adoption of QR codes for the general terms of insurance contracts to reduce paper costs and promote digital transformation, a proposal that was approved by the relevant authorities.

Notably, the 2024 report from the regional advisory group for ICC national committees in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia proudly highlighted the achievements of ICC Syria, specifically the activities of the Insurance Commission, as part of the region’s accomplishments.

Ms. Mouna Kiwan ICC Syria Administrative Consultant and International Affairs Coordinator, provided information about ICC Commissions: Arbitration, Banking, Intellectual Property, Commercial Law and Practices and Insurance.

Furthermore, Ms. Kiwan presented ICC Syria International and Professional Trainings, with an overview about the ICC Academy courses.

The budget for 2023 was approved by the members of the General Assembly.

The GA was followed by honoring ICC Syria's sponsors during the year 2024.