With the aim of alleviating concerns among industrialists in the textile sector and restoring the prominence of one of Syria’s oldest industries, the headquarters of the Damascus and its Countryside Chamber of Industry hosted an expanded meeting that brought together a group of leading textile industrialists. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Mazen Dirwan, President of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Industry, and Eng. Mohammad Ayman Al-Moulawi, President of the Chamber, in the presence of Mr. Nour Al-Din Samha, Head of the Textile Sector, and Mr. Adham Al-Tabbaa, Deputy Head of the Textile Sector, to discuss ways to revive the sector and enhance its global competitiveness.
Also in attendance were Mr. Abdullah Al-Zayed, Secretary of the Chamber, Karim Al-Khaja, Board Member, Anas Traboulsi and Hassan Daaboul, members of the Board of Directors, Wasim Saad, Director of the Chamber, and Khaldoun Dado, Director of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Industry.
Eng. Mohammad Ayman Al-Moulawi emphasized that the textile industry is not merely a production sector, but the largest employer in Syria and the second-largest contributor to national exports. He noted that the sector has exceptional added value and strong competitiveness, enabling it to access high-end global markets if provided with a supportive environment. Based on current market conditions, he pointed out that there is a timely opportunity due to competitive pricing and quality. When comparing Syrian textile products with competing ones, the advantage clearly leans toward the Syrian product in terms of price-quality balance—an advantage that must be invested in immediately by opening up to European and other global markets.
For his part, Dr. Mazen Dirwan stressed that the current phase requires unified efforts to build a more flexible and efficient industry that reflects Syria’s capabilities. He highlighted that the Federation serves industrialists and represents their voice to decision-makers, aiming to establish a sense of reassurance and stability following the removal of previous obstacles. He also reviewed the results of his recent field visits to Aleppo and Hama, noting that he closely listened to the challenges faced by affected factory owners, and that the outcomes of these visits will form the basis of upcoming development plans.
During the session, industrialists presented a detailed assessment of current challenges, agreeing on the need for bold decisions in several areas, including customs and raw materials. They called for fair and balanced customs duties on production inputs to enable Syrian products to compete in export markets, and for practical alternatives to refund duties upon export. They also stressed the importance of supporting energy sources by providing subsidized fuel for dyeing facilities and industrial use, while rejecting the burden of electricity losses being placed on industrialists.
Participants emphasized the need to address gaps across all stages of textile production—from yarn to finished products—to ensure full integration, as export strength lies in a complete production chain, a key advantage for Syria alongside its cotton cultivation.
They also noted that small workshops are the most affected by economic shocks and face significant challenges, making it essential to prioritize their support and create conditions that allow them to grow into medium and large enterprises contributing effectively to the national industry. Additionally, attention must be given to fabric dyeing and finishing industries, as their primary costs are tied to energy consumption.
All attendees agreed that export orientation must be a strategic priority with no alternative, calling for clear government direction to support the entry of Syrian textile products into foreign markets by overcoming shipping obstacles and reducing production input costs.
The meeting concluded by emphasizing that direct communication between economic decision-makers and sector representatives is the only guarantee to transform these visions into tangible results, restoring the Syrian textile industry’s competitive identity in regional and international markets.
22/4/2026
