Damascus Securities Exchange

Syrian stock exchange

Damascus Securities Exchangeسوق دمشق للأوراق المالية

Type| Stock Exchange
Location| Damascus, Syria
Founded| 2009
Owner| Damascus Securities Exchange
Key people| Mohammad Ghassan Al-Qalla'a (Chairman)
Salim Challah (Deputy Chairman)
Abdul Razak Kasem (CEO)
Currency| Syrian pound
No. of listings| 37 as of October 2024
Indices| DWX
Website| www.dse.sy

The Damascus Securities Exchange (DSE) (Arabic: سوق دمشق للأوراق المالية, romanized: Sūq Dimashq lil-'Awrāq al-Māliyyah) is a stock exchange located in Damascus, Syria. Founded in 2009, it is the only stock exchange in Syria.[1] The Damascus Securities Exchange is a member of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges.[2]

It started with its premises in the Barzeh district. On 10 May 2022, it moved to the business district of Yaafour.[3][4]

## History

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### Decree No. (55) (Securities Market Law)

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On 1 October 2006, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued Decree No. (55) (Securities Market Law) ("the Decree"), providing for the establishment of a stock market in Syria. The market was to be known as the DSE. This decree stipulated that the market be self-financed, provided that it covers Government deficits. The Decree also provides for the opportunity to convert the market into a joint stock company.

The DSE was to be ran by a board of directors consisting of 9 members. The Prime Minister was to appoint these members based on recommendations provided by the Syrian Commission on Financial Market & Securities.[5]

### Official opening

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The first official trades on the DSE were launched on 10 March 2009.[4]

### Syrian war

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Main article: Syrian civil war

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), between March 2011 when the uprising began, and May 2012, the value of the Syrian pound had fallen 45 percent and the Damascus stock exchange decreased 40 percent.[6]

### Damascus Securities Exchange closing and reopening (December 2024 - June 2025)

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On 8 December 2024, the Assad regime collapsed during a major offensive by opposition forces. The stock exchange was closed during the days leading up to the collapse.[7] On 2 June 2025, the stock exchange reopened following a six-month closure.[7] Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh attended the reopening of the market and noted that the exchange “will operate as a private company and serve as a genuine hub for Syria’s economic development, with a strong focus on digital,”[8] The move to reopen the market also comes as international restrictions on Syria's financial systems begin to ease in light of the United States and European nations announcing the lifting of sanctions that were applied to the system under the al-Assad dynasty’s rule.[9]

## See also

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* Economy of Syria
* List of stock exchanges
* Syrian civil war

## References

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1. ^ "ANIMA News : Damascus Stock Exchange proceeded on its first operation on Thursday 30th of January". Archived from the original on 2010-12-25. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
2. ^ "FEAS History".
3. ^ "DSE | الأخبار". DSE. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
4. ^ a b "AFP: Syria launches first stock exchange". Google News. Archived from the original on 2012-02-12.
5. ^ "Damascus Securities Exchange". arab-exchanges.org. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
6. ^ "Damage to Syrian Economy Estimated", 10/5/2012[usurped]
7. ^ a b "Damascus stock exchange reopens after 6-month closure". Al Arabiya English. 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
8. ^ "Another sign of Syria's rebuilding: The Damascus stock exchange opens again". www.courthousenews.com. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
9. ^ "U.S., EU, UK Ease Syria Sanctions to Support Reconstruction". natlawreview.com. Retrieved 2025-06-02.

## External links

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* Damascus Securities Exchange Website

*[No.]: Number