Syrians queue to exchange old banknotes before deadline
Syrians queued at post offices and banks in Damascus on Wednesday to exchange old banknotes for the new currency ahead of the Central Bank's deadline.
Footage showed long lines at the Syrian Postal Corporation and the Syria and Gulf Bank as staff processed exchange requests.
Ahmed Kheiti, director of the Damascus Post Office, said the exchange period would end on Thursday, with Al-Hijaz Hall and 22 post offices across the capital continuing to provide the service until then.
He said each person could exchange up to one million Syrian pounds in cash or through an e-wallet, adding that the Central Bank would launch an online registration platform after the deadline and continue exchanging old notes for the next five years.
"There is no reason for the current panic or fear surrounding the process," Kheiti said.
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Residents, however, complained of overcrowding. Mahmud Malla Ahmed called for more exchange centres, while another resident, Nadia, questioned what would happen to people unable to meet the deadline because they were travelling.
The Central Bank said that from 6th August, old banknotes can only be exchanged through its headquarters in Damascus for the next five years.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
