Syria has appointed a new governor of its central bank, a move announced on Friday as part of a broader reshuffle of senior officials. President Ahmed al‑Sharaa named Abdul Hamid Raslan to the post, the state news agency SANA reported. Raslan is a veteran banker who previously headed the Syrian Development Fund.
Raslan will replace Abdul Qadir al‑Hasriya, who is being reassigned as Syria’s ambassador to Canada, according to a statement from the foreign ministry quoted by state television. Hasriya had assumed the governorship in April after the dismissal of Maysa Sabreen, who had served as caretaker governor since December.
During his brief tenure, Hasriya oversaw a redenomination of the Syrian pound that removed two zeros from banknotes. The reform did not alter the currency’s nominal value but was intended to simplify transactions and restore confidence in the national money. The redesign also eliminated images of President Bashar al‑Assad and his family from the notes.
The appointment follows a partial government overhaul that took place last week, in which President al‑Sharaa replaced two ministers, several regional governors and the secretary‑general of the presidency—a position previously held by his brother Maher. No official explanation has been offered for the reshuffle, and observers note that it comes amid ongoing economic strain and international sanctions.
The central bank plays a critical role in managing Syria’s fragile economy, which has been battered by years of conflict, sanctions and a sharp depreciation of the pound. The new governor inherits a monetary system that is attempting to stabilise through modest reforms, tighter foreign‑exchange controls and efforts to attract limited foreign investment. Raslan’s experience in development financing may signal a focus on reviving domestic credit channels and supporting reconstruction projects.
International analysts caution that any substantive improvement in Syria’s financial sector will depend on broader political developments, including the resolution of the civil war and the easing of sanctions. While the appointment itself does not indicate a shift in policy, the change in leadership could influence how the central bank navigates these challenges.
The coming weeks are likely to reveal whether Raslan will introduce new measures to curb inflation, improve liquidity or further adjust the currency’s design. Observers will also watch for any coordination between the central bank and the finance ministry as the government seeks to bolster economic confidence.
For now, the reshuffle represents the latest in a series of administrative adjustments as President al‑Sharaa consolidates his team amid a complex domestic and international environment. Future statements from the central bank will provide clearer insight into Syria’s monetary strategy and its implications for the region’s broader economic outlook.
