1066 industrial facilities went into production in 2020 with a capital of 62.6 billion Syrian pound

Damascus (ST): In spite of the  difficult conditions that the country is passing through as a result of  unilateral coercive measures and the impact of the Corona virus pandemic, investment rate in the industrial sector has been good due to the facilities and measures taken by the government in this context.

About 1066 craft, industrial and investment facilities  entered into operation and production during the year 2020 with a capital of 62.627 billion Syrian pounds, so ensuring about 4,849 job opportunities.

The Industrial Investment Directorate at the Ministry of Industry said in its report for the year 2020 that there is an increase in the number of implemented facilities compared to 2019, which recorded the implementation of 112 facilities with a capital of 75.2 billion pounds and provided 4988 job opportunities.

Regarding licensing, the report stated that the directorates of industry in the governorates approved 2852 craft, industrial and investment establishments with a capital of 891.773 billion last year, which will provide about 25,904 job opportunities when they enter production. This is a remarkable increase over the year 2019, which registered the licensing of 779 industrial and investment establishments with 270.867 billion pounds.

According to the report, Aleppo governorate had the highest number of licensed facilities with 1216 establishments, then Damascus Countryside with 850, followed by Hama 192, then Damascus 131, Homs 113, Daraa 107, Tartous 78, Latakia 77, Quneitra 29, Sweida 20, Deir Ezzor 18 and Hasaka with only one.

In terms of the industrial facilities executed according to Investment Law No. 8, the Directorate said  that  17 establishments were put into service  with a capital of 24.924 billion pounds providing 427 job opportunities, including 8 food, 7 chemical and 2 engineering establishments, distributed as follows:  Quneitra 4, Damascus countryside 3, Adra Industrial 3, and the rest in the other governorates. 17 facilities were licensed  with a capital of 720.5 billion pounds that will ensure jobs  for 3177 workers in the various industrial sectors. Damascus Countryside had the largest share with 8 establishments and the others were distributed over the rest of the governorates.

The report stressed that  the legislative decrees issued last year greatly contributed to the support of the industrial sector, including Decree No. 10, which exempted raw materials from all taxes and other fees imposed on import, and Legislative Decree No. 14, which exempted production requirements and raw materials used in the manufacture of human medicines from customs, duties and all taxes and fees imposed on import.

The report also  referred to the government decisions that were issued in the same context, and granting support motivations for export-oriented industrial production and many other decisions related to providing financing and subsidizing interest rates for materials included in the import substitution program.

K.Q.