Syrians allowed 500 US dollars per citizen, annually

The Syrian government has, for the first time, approved permitting selling US dollars to resident Syrians one time per year.

The Syrian official dailies said on Thursday that the "Syrian Commercial Bank issued instructions provide for selling dollars to Syrian citizens in the private sector at neighboring market prices, and for one time a year, and only for the amount of 500 dollars for each person," above 18 years old. The decision limits selling the US dollars to "resident Syrian citizens upon their travel, and only for the private sector, and for non commercial works, and Lebanon and Jordan are excluded for these acts." For those under 18 years old, the amount allowed is 250 US dollars.

The press information added that the "travelers are permitted to buy the USD 500 or any other currency equivalent to USD 500, and on all land, air and sea travel tickets as travel spending (on the passport of the person concerned)."