In a significant move to stimulate its beleaguered industrial sector, Syria is spearheading initiatives to revive major struggling companies. The official inauguration of the Al-Madina Food Factory for raw sugar refining in the industrial city of Hasya, Homs, marks a key step in a broader government strategy to bolster local production and meet market demands.
A Sweet Restart in Homs
The newly opened Al-Madina Food Factory is positioned as the largest facility of its kind in Syria, boasting a production capacity of 3,000 tons per day, translating to nearly one million tons annually. The plant operates with modern technology from Germany’s BMA and was implemented by the Tunisian company BIA, adhering to high technical standards.
According to the Governor of Homs, Abdul Rahman Al-A’mi, the factory underwent a comprehensive restructuring and maintenance program, which included retraining technical staff and reactivating dormant production lines. This revival is expected to create around 250 direct jobs and has increased the plant’s raw sugar reception capacity from 1,500 to 5,000 tons daily, positioning it to meet local demand and explore export opportunities to neighboring countries.
Golden Gate Reopens Under State Control
This development followed the relaunch of the Golden Gate company in Damascus, which has resumed operations as a state-owned public entity. The company’s new management is focused on reactivating its four existing branches and has an ambitious plan to expand to 16 locations across Syria. The government has also committed to preserving the rights of previous investors who incurred losses estimated at $20 million.
In parallel, the General Company for Petroleum Services announced the operational start of four stations in Aleppo, Homs, Damascus, and Tartous to supply fuel and gas to industrial entities and citizens, further supporting the industrial revival.
A Strategic Shift For National Industry
Industry experts view these moves as a strategic pivot in the state’s approach to major industries. Maher Badran, a member of the Damascus Chamber of Industry, noted that the government is regaining control of facilities that were previously in the private sector to improve productivity and ensure price stability in the local market.
“The success of these projects reflects the state’s ability to integrate previous technical and investment expertise into the public sector system, which contributes to supporting the national economy and stimulating industrial activity,” Badran stated.
He also emphasized the need for strict accountability measures against former investors whose mismanagement led to significant economic losses, stating that such actions are necessary to restore confidence in the public investment system and protect the national industrial sector.
Confronting A Collapsed Sector
These revival efforts come against a backdrop of severe contraction in Syria’s industrial landscape. Over the past several years, thousands of factories have ceased operations due to soaring operational costs, power outages, weak domestic demand, and competition from imported goods.
In Damascus alone, estimates indicate that more than 2,700 of the 3,888 registered industrial companies remain out of service. According to industry insiders, nearly half of the country’s remaining industrial facilities are at risk of closure without improved economic conditions and supportive policies for local production, underscoring the immense challenges ahead.
About The Industrial City in Hasya
The Industrial City in Hasya is a major industrial zone located in Homs, central Syria. It serves as a hub for various manufacturing and industrial activities and is a focal point for the Syrian government’s current efforts to rehabilitate and relaunch key national industries to support economic recovery and development.
Source: Al-Araby Al-Jadeed
