Supporting Food Industry Continuity: A Strategic Meeting at the Damascus Chamber of Industry
Supporting Food Industry Continuity: A Strategic Meeting at the Damascus Chamber of Industry
Damascus Chamber of Industry: Calls for Protecting Food Production and Amending Penalty Systems
Opposing Immediate Closures: Industrialists called for replacing the "immediate closure" policy with a "graduated penalty system" that starts with warnings, emphasizing the need to distinguish between minor errors and grave violations.
Lab Analysis Priority: The meeting rejected closure decisions based on "sensory observation" alone, insisting that no violations be recorded until definitive laboratory results are confirmed.
Fair Competition: Attendees stressed applying Syrian quality standards to imported goods with the same rigor as local products to ensure a level playing field.
Technical Collaboration: A demand was made to involve factory experts in drafting final standards with the Standardization Authority, especially for sensitive products like canned goods (Conserva).
Positive Government Coordination: The Chamber’s leadership highlighted a productive cooperation with the Ministry of Supply to resolve the "closures crisis" and reach a balance between food safety and industrial continuity.
Action Plan: Subcommittees were tasked with submitting detailed memos on specific sector challenges to be presented to the government for balanced decision-making.
21/4/2026
