3000 micro-and small-sized enterprises in Damascus Countryside have benefited from “Mashrouie” loan program

DAMASCUS COUNTRYSIDE, (ST)- “Mashrouie” program is one of the Syria Trust for Development initiatives that aim at funding micro and small-sized enterprises as well as innovative projects in the Syrian rural areas to encourage economic growth there. The program has branches in different Syrian provinces working to support and improve the socio-economic conditions of citizens.

In Damascus Countryside, the number of the small and micro-sized enterprises, which have been supported by the “Mashrouie” program has reached 3000 at a value of SYP 350 million. The enterprises cover the agricultural sector, trade and handicrafts.

 The Director of local development in Damascus Countryside province Ahmad Kan’an told SANA that Mashrouie program started in 2012 by supporting three projects in Jaramana city and the towns of Hreira and Afra.  The program’s work has now expanded and the number of the program’s funds has so far reached 19 – distributed in several villages and towns in Damascus Countryside.

Kan’an pointed out that the program focuses in the first place on agricultural projects like expanding the area where the the Damascene rose is being grown ,bee breeding, planting oyster mushrooms, local goat breeding, dairy products, land reform, pruning, pesticide spraying and planting apple and cherry trees.

According to Kan’an, the program gives each entrepreneur a 200,000 Syrian pounds interest-free loan to start his/her project, noting a study to raise the value of the loan in 2020.

He pointed out that the project also provides small annual loans valued at 50,000 Syrian pounds to university students, clarifying that 700 students have so far benefitted from the program’s loans.

Kan’an pointed out that a development map has been prepared even for the smallest villages in the province. This map explains the needs of each village and specifies the development projects that can be carried out and that would serve the locals.

Hamda Mustafa