Damascus: Syria’s new leadership has named Maysaa Sabrine, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank, as its first female governor in over 70 years.
Sabrine succeeds Mohammed Issam Hazime, appointed in 2021 by ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
Her appointment reflects a significant shift in Syria’s financial leadership amid ongoing political changes.
A senior Syrian official confirmed the news, though Sabrine has yet to make a public statement.
This decision comes at a pivotal moment as Syria seeks to stabilize its economy and recover from prolonged conflict.
With over a decade of central bank experience, Sabrine is poised to bring stability and expertise to Syria’s financial reforms under the new administration.
Sabrine has had an extensive career in Syria’s banking and finance sectors. She has been on the board of directors of the Damascus Securities Exchange since December 2018. A licensed public accountant, Sabrine holds a master’s degree in accounting from Damascus University, which has laid the foundation for her career. Her work in the banking sector spans over 15 years, with notable positions including deputy governor of the Central Bank and head of the Office Control Division, where she focused on banking regulation in Syria.
Before her appointment as governor, Sabrine also held a high-level role as the director of the Women’s Affairs Office under the temporary administration of Ahmad al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria. This made her one of the few women in prominent political and financial roles in Syria at the time.
As governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Sabrine has played a key role in overseeing efforts to liberalize the country’s state-dominated economy. Her leadership includes eliminating strict foreign currency limits and the need for pre-approvals for imports and exports, although Syria continues to face significant economic sanctions imposed by the United States.
Sabrine’s appointment comes during a challenging period for Syria, with the country grappling with the aftermath of a rebel attack that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Following this, there were reports of theft and inspection of national assets. Despite these challenges, the Central Bank under Sabrine’s governance remains pivotal in navigating Syria’s financial future amidst ongoing sanctions and instability.
