DAMASCUS, Dec. 17 (SANA) Syria’s Geological and Mineral Resources Authority signed on Wednesday an agreement with TERYAQ, a subsidiary of Serbia’s ELIXIR GROUP, aimed at exporting 1.5 million tons of phosphate by 2026. The deal, which meets global technical standards, also opens the door for future investments in the sector.
The agreement marks a significant step in Syria’s efforts to expand international partnerships and optimize its mineral resources for economic gain.
Plans to produce 7 million tons
Syria’s Director-General of the Geological and Mineral Resources Authority, Siraj al-Hariri, told SANA that the deal will cover the entire phosphate process—from exploration and extraction to export. The first phase aims to export 1.5 million tons of phosphate by 2026, with potential for further cooperation, including the establishment of phosphate processing plants tied to related industries.
“This is the first step in entering global markets,” al-Hariri said, adding that Syria plans to ramp up phosphate production to 5 million tons in the coming year, with the possibility of increasing output to 7 or 8 million tons.
ELIXIR to expand investment in Syria
Stanko Popović, President of ELIXIR GROUP, explained that the agreement followed 11 months of technical and commercial negotiations between the Syrian and Serbian teams. He highlighted the deal as a sign of both sides’ commitment to expanding investment in Syria’s natural resources sector.
Popović also noted that ELIXIR Group is looking to expand its presence in Syria, with plans to build phosphate fertilizer plants in the country.
This agreement is part of Syria’s broader strategy to develop its phosphate sector, add value to its natural resources, and open new export markets—efforts that will contribute to the country’s economic recovery and strengthen international investment ties.
ELIXIR GROUP, one of Europe’s leading phosphate companies, owns the largest phosphoric acid plant in Europe and operates three fertilizer plants in Serbia, positioning the company as a major player in the global phosphate industry.
