Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Maysaa Sabrine Makes History

Maysaa Sabrine becomes the first woman to lead Syria's central bank, amidst political upheaval. Recent reforms aim to boost the economy, but U.S. sanctions remain. Syria's foreign reserves have drastically reduced, while its gold reserves remain intact despite the civil war's impacts.

In a historic appointment, Maysaa Sabrine has been named the first female governor of Syria's central bank, a position she ascended to following a seismic political shift in the country. Her experience in banking oversight will be pivotal as Syria continues to navigate economic challenges.

Sabrine succeeds Mohammed Issam Hazime, who was installed by ex-President Bashar al-Assad in 2021. This leadership change follows Assad's recent ousting. The central bank has swiftly moved toward economic liberalization, removing barriers such as pre-approvals for international trade and easing stringent foreign currency regulations.

Despite these reforms, the nation remains under stringent U.S. sanctions. The bank has managed to secure its core assets despite a wave of looting, maintaining 26 tons of gold while foreign exchange reserves have significantly decreased from $18 billion to $200 million since the onset of the civil war.