Damascus, Sept. 2 (SANA) Syria is expanding and rehabilitating its industrial cities to support local production and attract new investment, with development and revival plans underway in Adra, Hassia, Sheikh Najjar, Bab al-Hawa, al-Rai and Deir Ezzor.
Ahmad Kurdi, Director of Industrial Cities at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, told SANA during the 63rd Damascus International Fair that industrial cities are entering a new phase of expansion and development, alongside efforts to revive cities that sustained significant damage during previous years.
He said the cities provide investors with serviced industrial plots, infrastructure and necessary services, while the ministry is working to increase capacity and attract new projects.
Adra Industrial City in Damascus Countryside, Syria’s first industrial city, covers about 7,000 hectares and is expandable. Kurdi said work is underway to expand it in response to strong investor demand.
Hassia Industrial City south of Homs covers about 2,500 hectares and provides more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs. It is attracting investment particularly in specialized industries, including petrochemicals and renewable energy. Kurdi said plans call for adding about 10,000 hectares in several phases.
Sheikh Najjar Industrial City in Aleppo covers around 4,500 hectares and hosts numerous industrial facilities, particularly in the textile sector. It previously provided more than 50,000 jobs.
Kurdi said development has begun on an area of about 1.5 million square meters under a contract with a real estate development company, while another contract is expected for a similar area following a memorandum of understanding.
Developing industrial zones
Bab al-Hawa Industrial City in northern Idleb countryside covers about 51 hectares and benefits from its proximity to the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Türkiye. Kurdi said an investment contract had been signed for an industrial project providing more than 242,000 square meters of serviced plots equipped with water, electricity and wastewater and industrial drainage networks.
Al-Rai Industrial City in northeastern Aleppo countryside, established in 2020, covers about 1 million square meters and includes hundreds of operating industrial facilities, alongside plots and facilities under construction.
Kurdi said plans are in place to expand the city, with investment opportunities focused particularly on leather, textile and light industries.
Deir Ezzor Industrial City covers 2,850 hectares allocated to food, textile, engineering and chemical industries.
Kurdi said the ministry is working to reorganize and revive the city while attracting investors and real estate developers. Three proposals are currently under consideration, and a memorandum of understanding has been signed with one party to establish a company specializing in petrochemical industries, energy services and logistics.
Investment incentives
Kurdi said the ministry is working to provide additional incentives for industrial investors. Existing measures include allocating land at prices close to cost and allowing payment in installments over five years in the main industrial cities.
Industrial cities also provide one-stop-shop services, allowing investors to complete licensing, ownership transfer and procedures involving relevant ministries and authorities through the city administration.
Kurdi said further incentives are being prepared to strengthen the investment appeal of industrial cities and support industrial expansion.
Syria’s industrial activity includes textile, chemical, engineering, food, pharmaceutical and cement industries. Kurdi said the past year had also seen the entry of several specialized industries expected to enter the Syrian market for the first time.
He said the Ministry of Economy and Industry has drawn on the experience of neighboring countries, particularly Türkiye, in developing industry and industrial cities. Saudi Arabia and Egypt, along with Türkiye, have shown interest in industrial investment in Syria, while China and other countries have also expressed interest.
The ministry approved the new investment system for industrial cities on June 6, 2025, aiming to strengthen the investment environment, encourage domestic and foreign investment, and support the transfer and localization of industrial technology and knowledge.
The 63rd Damascus International Fair is continuing at the Damascus Fairgrounds through September 4, with participation by local, Arab and foreign companies and seminars and workshops addressing economic, cultural and educational issues.
M.F / ABD
