New Industrial Zones to be Established

DAMASCUS, (ST) – Director of the Industrial Cities, Eng. Akram al -Hassan, stated that the volume of work performed in all industrial cities reached until the beginning of last April to 530 billion Syrian Pounds (SP), mostly concentrated in the industrial cities of Adra and Hesya.

Eng. Hassan said in a statement that the industrial cities that were established after 2004 attracted many investors and about 50 percent of the specific areas were occupied, pointing out that the number of invested enterprises in the industrial cities all up to about 200 properties.

The Director pointed out that it was the finalization of the draft decree on the creation of the industrial city, which has been approved recently to be set up in the area of Jbab in Daraa governorate on an area of up to 250 hectares for the establishment of heavy and medium industries of multipurpose.

Concerning  the three industrial areas that have been approved to be set up, Eng. Hassan  clarified that the decisions have been issued by the Minister of Local Administration and organizational charts and procedures for the acquisition and implementation of some infrastructure projects are prepared , pointing out that it was the demand of the governorates concerned began to prepare a timetable for the implementation and put them to invest and later the ministry will be communicated to the need of areas of the appropriations to be monitored in the coming years budgets.

He pointed out that the first area will be in the region of Talkalkh in Homs Governorate on an area of 50 hectares initially and the second in the area of Umm al Zeitoun in Sweida Governorate on an area of 728 hectares. Thearea will be allocated to industries of second and third sorts with a financial contribution from the ministry amounted to 50 million Syrian pounds of credits allocated to them in 2013 and the third in the area Alrweiha in Idleb Governorate on an area of 74 hectares for the establishment of agro-industries, medium and light.

The Director of the Cities said that the ministry follows up with the concerned authorities the implementation and financing of industrial zones amounted to 25 areas that have been selected in coordination with the Ministry of Industry, the governorates, the General Union of Craftsmen and the Federation of Chambers of Industry and Commerce.

These areas must be given more attention,  follow-up, providing the necessary funding to implement and invest and develop in order to accommodate small, medium, large and non-polluting industries.

 “The creation and investment system of industrial zones has been modified and it was circulated to all ministries, governorates and bodies concerned explaining that the amendment included various options to make financing and investment industrial zones including opening a special budget of each region and the formation of a committee comprising representatives of stakeholders, investors and give more flexibility to facilitate and accelerate the completion of procedures and investment,” Eng. Hassan concluded.

Sharif Al -Khatib