After the outbreak of the civil war, outfitter Semi Necib Abdullah's shop and home were destroyed. Then he came to Turkey and began to send food and ready-to-wear products to Syria.
Semi Necib Abdullah Abu Hikmet: I come from Ayn Al Tel neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria. I am 58 years old. I am a father of 4 children. I am an outfitter. With my two sons and 16 employees, we sell both underwear and outerwear products to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. When the civil war broke out, trade routes were blocked and demands declined. First of all the chances of export to foreign market, then in domestic market were lost. I started to dismiss my employees. Fabrics, accessories I had bought for manufacturing remained unsold. My capital of millions of SYP was of no use anymore.
ORSAM: Could you tell us about your life before the civil war in Syria, what you went through during the civil war and the reasons why you came to Turkey?
Semi Necib Abdullah Abu Hikmet: The trade center where my shop is located was bombed. My neighborhood was invaded. When everywhere was destroyed, everybody started to leave. I started to struggle for my life, left Aleppo and came to Turkey. I had some savings. In addition, I asked for financial help from the businessmen I know in the Middle East. I opened a shop in Reyhanlı, and started export food and ready-to-wear products to Syria. Those who live in Hatay-Reyhanlı and export goods to Syria ply share-based trade. They go to rural areas, villages or less-damaged towns and warehouse the goods over there. They make sale depending on the needs of the area. The major problem is the devaluation of SYP, and the rising cash flow problem of the people. While the price of a shirt ranged between 300 to 500 SYP before, it is currently 1000 SYP. While the price of a coat ranged between 750 to 1000 SYP in the past, now it is 3000 SYP. Wood burning stove is demanded most. Because fuel is currently on the black market in Syria. The people try to get warm by burning chocks, sacks etc.
I set up a business in Turkey where I came as a refugee, and started to earn my living. In fact, I also provided job opportunities to Syrians who came here to struggle for their lives like me.
* This interview was made by Feyyat Özyazar in Reyhanlı district of Hatay, on 27 December 2012.
