For the First Time Since 2004: Google Removes Syria from Sanctions List and Resumes Advertising Services - Jordan News
The removal of restrictions on Syria is expected to open opportunities for both local and international companies to access new consumer segments, driving innovation and potential growth in the Syrian digital economy.
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Jordan News
8 hours ago
- Jordan News
For the First Time Since 2004: Google Removes Syria from Sanctions List and Resumes Advertising Services - Jordan News
Google has announced the removal of Syria from the sanctions list imposed by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), effective August 13, allowing the resumption of the company's advertising services in the country for the first time since 2011. اضافة اعلان In a policy update statement, the company noted that the change included an update to its "Understanding Country Restrictions" help page, removing Syria from the list of restricted regions. The remaining restricted areas now include only Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Lifting Restrictions on Key Platforms The decision lifts restrictions on three major Google platforms: Google Ads Google Ad Exchange Google Ad Manager Previously, these platforms blocked targeting users in Syria or creating accounts from IP addresses located within the country. Google stated that Syrian publishers and advertisers will need to recover their accounts through manual verification procedures. This will involve submitting official documents, verifying identity, and agreeing to updated terms of service. Background of the Sanctions Google's restrictions on Syria were originally based on Executive Order 13338, signed by former U.S. President George W. Bush in 2004. These restrictions were further expanded after the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011, encompassing limitations on financial and technological services, according to Now, removing Syria from the sanctions list opens new doors for the local market of over 22 million people, giving them renewed access to digital marketing services—despite the country's weakened and war-damaged infrastructure. Opportunities and Challenges According to international telecom estimates, internet penetration in Syria stands at around 34%, with widespread reliance on smartphones. This makes mobile advertising one of the most promising channels, despite ongoing economic challenges. Regional advertising trends suggest modest initial investments, with growth potential hinging on economic stability and infrastructure development. Google's broader advertising policy updates emphasize privacy protection and emerging ad formats, both of which could shape the evolution of the Syrian market. Additionally, Google confirmed that advertisers in Syria will be subject to the same global ad policies, including restrictions on misleading content and inappropriate materials. Regional Context This decision coincides with a broader trend of digital transformation in the Middle East. Neighboring markets such as Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey have witnessed notable growth in digital advertising in recent years. The removal of restrictions on Syria is expected to open opportunities for both local and international companies to access new consumer segments, driving innovation and potential growth in the Syrian digital economy.
Jordan News
a day ago
- Jordan News
Minister of Industry Discusses Accelerating Implementation of Economic Cooperation Agreements with Syria - Jordan News
Minister of Industry Discusses Accelerating Implementation of Economic Cooperation Agreements with Syria Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Eng. Yarub Qudah, discussed in Damascus a number of issues related to enhancing economic cooperation between Jordan and Syria, and following up on the implementation of understandings reached during bilateral talks over the past months, particularly the outcomes of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee meetings held in Amman last month. اضافة اعلان According to a ministry statement issued Saturday, Qudah, during his meeting with Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Dr. Mohammad Al-Shaar and other Syrian officials, stressed the importance of joint efforts to accelerate procedures necessary to boost economic cooperation between the two countries in various fields, particularly increasing bilateral trade volume, stimulating investments, and more. He affirmed that Jordan places all its available capabilities at the service of its Syrian brothers, enabling them to rebuild their institutions and providing them with the necessary expertise, particularly in the economic field, underscoring that the Kingdom will spare no effort in supporting Syria's reconstruction process. He added that from the outset of the changes witnessed in Syria, Jordan has exerted great efforts to serve the Syrian people in many areas, including facilitating the entry of goods needed by the Syrian market and enabling Syrian products to be exported through Jordanian territory. Both sides emphasized the importance of expediting the necessary steps to implement the outcomes of the economic and trade committee, which reached understandings during its meeting in Amman last month, in order to strengthen cooperation in transportation, agriculture, customs, standards and metrology, food and drug sectors, industrial cities, and free zones, in addition to a number of related technical files. They also stressed the importance of accelerating steps toward economic integration in line with the outcomes of the first meeting of the Higher Coordinating Council between the two countries, as well as ensuring the continuity of joint committee meetings. --(Petra)
Ammon
a day ago
- Ammon
Jordan, Syria talk expedited implementation of economic cooperation agreements
Ammon News - Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah discussed in Damascus a number of issues aimed to enhance Jordanian-Syrian economic cooperation. The minister's talks also came to follow up on implementation of joint agreements concluded during the two sides' discussions over the past months, mainly outcomes of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee's meetings held in Amman last month. According to a ministry statement on Saturday, Qudah stressed importance of joint action to accelerate the "necessary" measures to increase joint economic cooperation in various fields, primarily increasing the volume of bilateral trade and stimulating investments. During his meeting with Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Dr. Mohammad al-Shaar and Syrian officials, Qudah added that Jordan is harnessing all its available capabilities to serve Syrian brethren to rebuild their institutions and offer the necessary expertise, particularly in economic aspects. Qudah noted the Kingdom will make all effort to support the reconstruction process in Syria. Since the first moments of changes in Syria, he said Jordan has worked "diligently" to serve Syrian brethren in many areas, mainly accelerating introduction of goods needed by the Syrian market and enabling export of Syrian goods via Jordanian territory. The two sides called for expediting the necessary procedures to implement outcomes of the joint economic and trade committee, which reached understandings during its meeting last month in Amman. The statement added that joint efforts aim to enhance cooperation in the fields of transportation, agriculture, customs, specifications and standards, food and medicine, industrial cities, and free zones, as well as a number of related technical issues. Additionally, both sides urged accelerated steps to achieve economic integration, reflecting outcomes of the first meeting of the two countries' Higher Coordination Council, as well as continuously convening the Joint Economic and Trade Committee discussions.
