Despite Loss, Industrial Zones Continue Production

DAMASCUS, (ST) – Despite loss and damage hit the industrial zones which exceeded 180 billion Syrian Pounds and the cessation of 3360 facilities in the field of construction and 677 facilities in the domain of  production, a number of installations of these zones have continued working to supply local markets with necessary products.

In this context, Director of Industrial Zones, Eng. Akram Hassan, said that the volume of investments in the industrial Zone of Adra reached last year nearly 248.7 billion Syrian Pounds. One hundred billion Syrian Pounds were allocated to plants under construction, 92 billion Syrian Pounds for the plants subject to production, 56. 70 billion Syrian Pounds for factories under license while cumulative revenues amounted to 11.415 billion Syrian Pounds, surpassing the total spending estimated at 11.407 billion Syrian Pounds.  

Eng. Hassan pointed out that the total number of plants in Adra amounted to 522 factories, including 321 in the process of production and 201 plants under construction while the number of workers in the zone decreased.

With regard to the industrial Zone in al -Sheikh Najjar in Aleppo, Eng. Hassan explained that the total revenues of the Zone reached at the end of last year 10.426 billion Syrian Pounds, equivalent to 91 percent of the total expenditure on the implementation of the infrastructure that amounted to 11.491 billion Syrian Pounds.

The volume of investments reached 180 billion Syrian Pounds, 131 billion Syrian Pounds for the plants under production and 41.700 billion Syrian Pounds for the plants under construction and 408.7 billion Syrian Pounds for the plants under license.

“The number of plants in Sheikh Najjar fell to 188 because of the theft of   30 plants and the cessation of a large number of plants working in the field of production,” Eng. Hassan said.

 The manager of the zones noted that the government had agreed to the proposals of the ministry to establish industrial zones in a number of governorates, including the establishment of an industrial zone in the area of Al –Roweiha in Idlib for setting up medium and light agro-industries.  

He also referred to an approval concerning setting up an industrial zone in Jebab town in Daraa near the international highway specialized in heavy and medium industries of multi-purposes and starting the establishment of an industrial zone in the area of Tel Kalkh in Homs.  

Necessary studies are conducted to establish an industrial zone in Umm al Zeitoun in Sweida with a financial contribution from the Industry Ministry estimated at 50 million Syrian Pounds.

For industrial zones, Eng. Hassan said that the ministry had followed up with the concerned authorities the implementation and financing of craft industrial zones amounted to 25. These zones have been chosen in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and the governorates, the General Union of Craftsmen and the Federation of Chambers of Industry and Commerce.

“Necessary funding and care will be given to implement, invest and develop these zones in order to accommodate small, medium and large industries,” Eng. Hassan added.

He explained that funds with a value of 4.334 billion Syrian Pounds have been allocated since the beginning of the five-year plan and these allocations were  distributed to 101 industrial and craft zones in the various governorates.

The financial amount was distributed as follows:  815.5 million Syrian Pounds for the city of Hama, 754.55 million Syrian Pounds for Idlib, 543,5 million Syrian Pounds for Hassaka, 376,5 million Syrian Pounds for Aleppo, 368,15 million Syrian Pounds for Daraa, 327.27 million Syrian Pounds for Homs, 258,5 million Syrian Pound for Deir Ezzour, 239.5 million Syrian Pounds for Tartous, 214.5 million Syrian Pounds for Raqqa, 170 million Syrian Pounds for Lattakia, 162.1 million Syrian Pounds for Sweida, 73.75 million Syrian Pounds for Damascus and 30.4 million Syrian Pounds of Quneitra.

“The system of creation and investment of industrial and craft zones has been modified and circulated to all ministries, governorates and concerned bodies, pointing out that the amendment included various options to create, finance and invest industrial and craft zones,” Eng. Hassan explained.

The modification law provided for opening a special budget of each zone and forming a committee comprising of representatives of concerned bodies for setting up zones.  A mandate was given to most governors to facilitate and accelerate the completion of procedures and investment.

Sh. Kh.