Syria’s Ministry of Local Administration and Environment signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Turkish satellite and technology company Turksat to enhance cooperation in digital transformation and technological innovation, particularly in real estate registry and cadastral surveying services.
The MoU was signed via video-conference, with the participation of Zafer al-Omar, Syria’s Deputy Minister of Local Administration and Environment, and Ahmet Atalay, Director General of Turksat. The agreement focuses on studying data management systems and centers, along with related reports, to build an integrated digital framework.
The agreement aims to address previous challenges while ensuring the preservation of citizens’ rights by eliminating fragmentation of paper records and improving the accuracy and reliability of data organization.
A Strategic Partnership for Digital Reform
In a statement to Levant24, Omar noted the digital transformation plan was developed based on an analysis of the current situation including a study of field experiences in various countries. He emphasized Turksat is a key partner in Syria’s digital transformation process, following a series of contacts with several institutions and nations.
Omar referred to a visit to Turkey last December reviewing Turkey’s successful experience in real estate registry services, cadastre, and municipal workflows. He highlighted Turksat’s active role in building the digital infrastructure for real estate services in Turkey.
From Paper Records to Digital Access
Omar highlighted the importance of the agreement serving a general digital framework and as an example to be followed in Syria. Omar pointed out that most real estate records in Syria are currently paper-based, and some require restoration.
In this context, he confirmed the Syrian government plans to digitize approximately 500,000 to 600,000 contracts and around 5,000 land records in the capital, Damascus, alone. The government aims to complete the digitization process in Damascus within about 12 months.
Learning from Turkey’s 30-Year Journey
Head of the Digital Transformation Directorate, Muhammad Alawi, told Levant24 the digitization of the real estate registry will allow citizens to access services electronically without needing to visit the relevant institutions in person. Alawi praised Turkey’s successful experience in digitizing real estate services.
Concerning the deadline for digitizing the real estate registry, Alawi said there is no specific time. It may take from five to seven years. So, he added, we signed this agreement with Turksat to benefit from the Turkish expertise in this field and to replicate the Turkish experience. He pointed out that Turkey took approximately 30 years to achieve its current level of digital transformation.
