Al -Qattan Invites Private Sector to Rehabilitate Suspended and Damaged Public Companies

Damascus-The Syrian private sector has great potential that can contribute to the process of development and reconstruction by focusing on supporting direct investment in the productive and service sectors with high added value and following the development and rehabilitation of the public sector according to the requirements of economic competition and seeking to achieve joint work teams with the government covering all sectors and economic activities.

In an interview with the SANA Economic Bulletin, the head of the Damascus Rural Chamber of Commerce, Waseem Al-Qattan, said that the importance of working to bring the experiences and funds of the Syrian business sector in the service of the development process by investing and rehabilitating the companies of the public sector which is suspended or destroyed to re-activate them from the government’s invitation to the unions to be partners in the process of economic development, decision-making and strategy.

Mr. Al-Qattan explained that the Ministry of Industry has about 15 companies and factories that are proposed for partnership with the private sector representing profitable investment opportunities including the company of glass in Damascus, al Khomaseyeh company, al Arabia for cement, liquid batteries in Aleppo, tire factory in Hama and wood plant in Lattakia and others.

Members of chambers and federations of commerce, industry, and others can rehabilitate, operate and invest these companies and benefit from their experience in management and investment to be a successful model of partnership, in order to secure the local market needs of products and meet the requirements of the construction process and ensure tens of thousands of jobs, according to Al-Qattan.

As for the participation of the private sector in the 61st session of the Damascus International Fair, Mr. Al-Qattan affirmed the ongoing invitations of businessmen delegations from sisterly and friendly countries either directly or through the joint Arab and foreign chambers to visit the fair in coordination with the Ministries of Tourism and Transport and others to secure discounts for the transfer of delegations and their residence. He noted that the UAE will send about 40 businessmen who have reserved 500 square meters and Oman will participate with an official delegation ranging from 20 to 30 businessmen who booked 300 square meters in addition to delegations from Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, while China, Russia and Iran reserved their own private pavilions at the fair..

The private business sector plays an important role in community development by supporting educational, cultural and tourism initiatives. The Board of Directors of the Damascus Rural Chamber of Commerce has provided 100 million SP to support the educational process through rehabilitating damaged schools in Damascus Countryside. Mr. Al-Qattan said.

In a previous statement, the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce confirmed the ability of the Syrian economy and its private sector to define their own potential and without external funding to contribute about 40 percent of the cost of reconstruction if appropriate work is available.

Sh. Kh.