On January 4, 2026, the head of the Syrian Federation of Chambers of Industry, Mr. Mazen Dirwan, announced a comprehensive plan aimed at supporting Syrian products and enhancing their competitiveness in local and international markets. The plan includes key measures such as eliminating customs duties on raw materials not produced domestically, reducing energy costs or allowing direct energy imports, imposing anti-dumping duties on unfairly subsidized imports, tightening quality control on imports, simplifying export procedures, and establishing specialized offices to serve industrialists, with a focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Syrian Future Movement welcomes this plan as a positive and well-considered step that aligns with the requirements of the transitional phase Syria is undergoing, as the economy begins its gradual recovery after many years of conflict and sanctions. We also believe that the balance the plan strikes between protecting national industry and encouraging competitive openness reflects a deep understanding of the structural challenges and paves the way for a qualitative shift towards a sustainable productive economy based on national efficiency and the diversification of traditional sectors such as textiles, food processing, and chemicals.
From a national and forward-looking perspective, the Syrian Future Movement sees this plan as a solid foundation for rebuilding Syrian competitiveness, especially given the projected growth in GDP during 2026, supported by the lifting of sanctions and the influx of reconstruction investments. We believe that its focus on reducing production costs and supporting small industrialists will contribute to creating widespread job opportunities, reducing unemployment, and enhancing social stability, which is a fundamental pillar of any successful political transition.
However, based on the Syrian Future Movement’s national vision, which believes in the importance of effective and transparent implementation, we emphasize the necessity of complementing this plan with binding implementation mechanisms that include:
- Establishing clear timelines and transparent criteria for implementing the proposed measures.
- Developing accessible financing programs and public-private partnerships to modernize technology and increase productivity.
- Integrating environmental sustainability and regional equity considerations to ensure a fair distribution of the benefits of industrial recovery.
- Creating independent monitoring mechanisms involving chambers of industry and civil society to prevent deviations or delays.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the success of this plan will be a true measure of the transitional phase’s ability to transform challenges into opportunities for comprehensive national advancement.
The Syrian Future Movement calls upon all relevant parties—the government, the private sector, and civil society—to cooperate constructively in its efficient implementation, serving the future interests of Syria as a productive and prosperous nation that relies on its human and economic resources.
