Economy Minister says protecting national products is not an option, but a duty

Damascus, SANA- Eng. Basel Abdul-Hanan, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, emphasized that protecting national products is not an option but a duty. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Electricity would issue new electricity tariffs for industrial and economic activities in dollars starting on Sunday.

These remarks came during a meeting Saturday between Minister Abdul-Hanan, Aleppo Governor Eng. Azzam Gharib, and several stakeholders in Sheikh Najjar Industrial City.

The attendees included members of the Chamber of Industry’s board of directors and a group of industrialists and investors, discussing the current situation and demands of the city’s industrial facility owners.

The Minister of Economy stated that the ministry would submit a document to the Prime Minister’s office regarding the additional fees imposed on electricity bills for industrialists, seeking an appropriate decision.

He noted that new customs tariffs, including new tariff items and a reduction in raw material fees for industries, would be issued next week.

Minister Abdul-Hanan highlighted the need to form specialized committees to study the textile industry comprehensively, aiming to develop a strategic vision and an integrated set of decisions to meet the industrialists’ needs and support work and production.

The same approach will apply to the leather and footwear industries, with a focus on expanding towards alternative energy.

Governor Gharib, in turn, underlined the importance and uniqueness of the industrial city, which is a significant economic landmark.

Several attendees addressed various issues and obstacles facing the national industry and proposed solutions to overcome them.

Later, the Minister and the Governor toured several factories in the Sheikh Najjar Industrial City.

Ruaa al-Jazaeri