On Wednesday, June 12, 2013, the U.S. Department of State announced a new limited waiver of the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (SAA) to allow the export and reexport, under license, of certain reconstruction-related items for the benefit of the Syrian people. Consistent with Section 5(b ) of the SAA and Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004, the waiver authorizes the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to issue licenses on a case-by-case basis for the export or reexport of certain commodities, software and technology, including but not limited to those related to water supply and sanitation, agricultural production and food processing, power generation, oil and gas production, construction and engineering, transportation, and educational infrastructure, as a means of helping to address the critical needs of the Syrian people and facilitating reconstruction. Note that the export and reexport of food and medicine do not currently require a license, while medical devices and telecommunication commodities may be licensed under pre-existing waivers. BIS will publish an implementing regulation shortly. However, exporters and reexporters may immediately submit license applications for consideration under the new waiver.
Published 06-12-2013
