Agriculture-products: wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas; beef, lamb, eggs, poultry, milk
Exports: total value: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1997) commodities: petroleum 70%, textiles 12%, food and live animals 10%, manufactures 5% (1997 est.) partners: EU 57% (Germany 17%, Italy 16%, France 11%), Lebanon 14%, Saudi Arabia 7% (1995 est.)
Imports: total value: $5.7 billion (c.i.f., 1997) commodities: machinery and equipment 40%, foodstuffs/animals 15%, metal and metal products 15%, textiles 10%, chemicals 10%, consumer goods 5% (1997 est.) partners: EU 33% (Italy 9%, Germany 8%, France 4%), South Korea 5%, US 4%, Japan 4% (1995 est.)
Debt-external: $20 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: $4.2 billion (1990-92)
Currency: 1 Syrian pound (£S) = 100 piastres
Exchange rates: Syrian pounds (£S) per US$1-41.9 (January 1997); official fixed rate 11.225
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 541,465 (1992 est.)