Syrian Finance Minister Bans 123 Brokers, Moves to Revoke Accountants' Licenses

Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh issued measures barring 123 legally licensed transaction brokers from entering Finance Ministry buildings and finance directorates across all governorates and prohibiting them from handling any financial transactions. He also requested the Accounting and Auditing Council to revoke the licenses of 14 certified accountants and refer them for investigation and disciplinary action. The steps form part of a wider package of sanctions affecting 256 people, and the ministry says craft associations will be contacted to revoke professional licenses where appropriate.

Barnieh said the decisions follow promises made at the Damascus Chamber of Commerce to root out corruption and warned customs clearance agents they could face similar penalties. He signalled further lists targeting finance directorates, government banks, the tax commission, and insurance and pensions bodies, and pledged measures to protect the public treasury from fictitious importers. The minister also called on traders to submit genuine invoices, outlined plans to use modern technologies for invoice assessments, and said anti-corruption actions will be paired with service improvements, digitization, incentives for compliance and a WhatsApp complaints line for the public, as reported by Enab Baladi