'Syria is the gateway to Middle East'
Unrest has now spread to Syria and it is likely to deal a big blow to the country's faltering economic reforms.
Over the last few years, the economy has been slowly opening up to overseas investment - and encouraging external trade.
One of the biggest new trading partners with Syria is Turkey. After years of troubled relations over water and Syria's support for Kurdish opposition leaders, Syria and Turkey are getting on better than ever.
It is helped by a free trade deal between the two countries and easier access for citizens to travel.
But the trade agreement does not come without its challenges as Lina Sinjab reports from the Damascus.
09 Apr 2011