Talal Barazi, Minister of Trade and Consumer Protection, visited the Damascus Chamber of Commerce. The meeting between Barazi and the Damascus merchants comes with the aim of, “looking at the reality of commercial markets and guaranteeing the flow of goods and price stability in a way that serves the country, merchants and citizens.”

The minister said, “I am mobilizing you, knowing that more than 50 or 60 of you are entrepreneurs, to bridge the gaps. I call on you so that today we can have the will to defy and remain steadfast through initiatives, and our pound will improve.”

Barazi added, “It is up to merchants to contribute to social responsibility, which starts with helping a few families and broadens to expand the workforce and employment. Merchants make a huge contribution to the economy and are looked upon with respect, including the smallest commercial store employing just two workers.”

For their part, merchants announced the launch of initiatives, including lowering prices, and asked the government to extend opening hours permitted for stores to 10pm, after they were ordered to shut at 7pm due to coronavirus.