In light of the efforts made to encourage foreign investment and stimulate economic activity in Syria, it has become possible for foreign companies to establish branches or offices within the Syrian Arab Republic. This step is a strategic one for companies wishing to enter the Syrian market and take advantage of the opportunities available there.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive practical guide on the procedures and legal and administrative requirements necessary to establish a branch or office (temporary, representative, or traditional) of a foreign company in Syria, based on applicable local laws.
A foreign company can choose the appropriate form for its presence in Syria based on the nature of its activity. Options include:
Permanent branch of a foreign company.
Representative office for marketing or public relations purposes.
Temporary office for specific tasks or short-term projects.
Official registration requires the submission of a set of basic documents, the most important of which are:
The articles of association of the parent company, the establishment deed of the company, and the articles of association.
The decision of the company's board of directors to open an office or branch in Syria and specify the liaison authority.
The document registering the foreign legal entity in the commercial registry in its country.
A lease or ownership contract for the headquarters to be used in Syria.
Proof of paid-up capital of no less than ten million Syrian pounds (or its equivalent). Non-profit organizations are exempt from this requirement.
The parent company's most recent financial statements certified by a certified auditor.
A letter appointing an authorized person from the parent company to oversee the registration procedures.
A pledge to prepare the annual budget for the branch's operations in Syria and submit it to the relevant authorities, along with the profit declarations.
Important: All documents must be certified by:
· Official authorities in the country of registration of the company.
· The Syrian embassy in the country of the foreign company.
· The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The name of the parent company, its nationality, and place of incorporation.
The legal form of the entity and its head office.
The type of registration (branch, representative office, etc.).
The nature of the business and activities to be undertaken by the branch.
The name, nationality, and place of residence of the general manager in Syria.
The name of the authorized person to oversee the registration.
The address of the temporary headquarters in Syria.
The official email address of the company.
Information about partners or board members.
Name of auditor in Syria.
To complete the registration process, a foreign company goes through the following steps:
Registration in the Syrian Commercial Registry of the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection.
Obtaining a commercial license to practice the activity.
Appointing a general manager residing in Syria to legally represent the branch.
Tax registration with the General Authority for Taxes and Fees to obtain a tax number.
Opening a bank account in a Syrian bank to manage financial transactions.
Registering employees for social insurance, if any.
Compliance with local laws in the areas of labor, environment, real estate, and others.
Authenticating the necessary contracts and licenses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the relevant authorities, as needed.
Proof of financing capacity through financial statements or guarantees.
Important Notes:
· Non-profit organizations and entities are not required to prove capital.
· Detailed annual budgets for the branch in Syria must be submitted.
· In some cases, financial guarantees may be required to prove the company's ability to finance its operations within the country.
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