Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Syria Weakens Official Exchange Rate

People stand at kids activity corner at a Christmas market during the holiday season in Damascus, Syria December 22, 2022. (Reuters)

Syria weakened its official exchange rate to 4,522 Syrian pounds to the dollar, a central bank statement said on Monday, while black market rates used for most economic activity sat around 6,500. 

The official rate was previously set at 3,015. 

An economic crisis in the country has been triggered by years of conflict, Western sanctions, a currency squeeze in part due to a financial meltdown in neighboring Lebanon and the government's loss of its northeastern oil-producing territories. 

The resulting collapse of the pound has driven up the price of goods and aggravated hardship as Syrians struggle to buy food, electricity and other basic items. 

Fuel has become particularly scarce, forcing the government to further ration electricity and even shut down public buildings during weekdays. 

The pound had traded at 47 to the dollar before protests against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in March 2011. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.