The Rise of Syrian Textiles: Key Highlights from the Economic Session of the NASTEX 2026 Launch Conference
The announcement conference for NASTEX in Damascus—held under the patronage of the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmad Al-Sharaa—featured an extensive economic session that brought together the Minister of Economy and Industry, Dr. Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar, and businessman Hussam Al-Tattari, Chairman of the Syrian–Turkish Economic Council, in the presence of ministers, ambassadors, Arab and foreign diplomats, industrialists, investors, and stakeholders in Syria’s textile sector.
The session provided a candid space to present the key challenges the sector faces after a 14-year war, while outlining potential solutions and uncovering the major opportunities on which the revival of Syria’s textile industry can be built.
The Textile Sector in Syria Is Not an Ordinary Industry
Minister Al-Shaar opened the economic session by affirming that textiles are not merely an industry in Syria, but rather “an identity deeply rooted in the consciousness of Syrians”, a craft that carried the country’s reputation across the world.
He emphasized that a Syrian economic revival must begin with the sectors for which the country is historically known—chief among them textiles—because of their intellectual, psychological, and social importance before their economic value.
Economically, the minister explained that more than 60% of the country is destroyed, unemployment exceeds 65%, and the textile sector is the most capable of absorbing the workforce—particularly women—due to the nature of the industry.
He also highlighted the well-known “Syrian skill” in this field, noting that Syrians who relocated abroad successfully established textile factories in Turkey and Egypt, which proves the potential for reviving the sector domestically.
The minister further underscored the strategic importance of Syria’s geographic location and its ability to become a re-export hub, in addition to the potential economic complementarity with Turkey—one of the world’s top textile powers.
Sector Challenges and the Rewards of Overcoming Them
Businessman Hussam Al-Tattari outlined the major challenges facing Syria’s textile sector, prefacing his remarks with an emphasis on optimism:
“The rewards of overcoming these challenges are tremendous. This is an industry that can employ one-third of Syria’s workforce and constitute one-third of the national output if organized properly.”
Among the challenges he mentioned:
1. Training and Qualification
Global markets demand products that meet strict international standards. After years of stagnation, the sector urgently needs improved craft standards, training, quality control, and technical skills.
2. Weak Equipment and Technology
Sanctions, past bureaucracy, and outdated laws prevented machinery upgrades, creating a large gap in competitiveness. Al-Tattari emphasized the role of NASTEX as a gateway to accessing the latest equipment.
3. Loss of International Trade Networks
Since nationalization, Syria’s once-active global trade networks have deteriorated—despite historically exporting brocade and damask to England. Today, reopening export channels and re-engaging with global markets is essential.
The Need for Cooperation Between the Two Segments of the Private Sector
Al-Tattari explained that Syria’s private sector is now divided into two groups:
Group One: Those who left the country and gained new know-how in places like Turkey and Egypt. They must transfer their expertise back to Syria.
Group Two: Those who remained and continued working under extremely difficult circumstances. They are encouraged to open up, modernize, form new partnerships, and benefit from the experience of the first group.
He affirmed that the government has begun removing previous obstacles, making this a suitable moment for a joint revival.
The Role of Women in Reviving Syria’s Textile Sector
The minister devoted significant attention to the role of women, stressing that years of war left the Syrian family in a “dire condition” that must be addressed through women’s economic empowerment.
He argued that textiles are the sector most capable of integrating women, relying on their natural skills, stating:
“God granted women more aptitude than men in this craft. It is our duty to train and empower them so they become not only workers, but managers, factory owners, and designers.”
Technology, Digitalization, and Modern Mechanization
Minister Al-Shaar announced the creation of a new department within the ministry called “Digital Economy”, focused on industrial digitalization.
He also revealed the establishment of a new authority for small, medium, and micro enterprises connected to the textile sector, stressing that the combination of digitalization + SMEs + textiles will create “real miracles” in employment and production.
The minister stressed the necessity of modernizing machinery, especially now that obstacles preventing importation have faded, noting:
“We cannot compete without modern mechanization. We have lacked it for years, and today is a golden opportunity to make up for lost time.”
A Call to Businesspeople Abroad: Initiative Comes First
Al-Tattari emphasized that investors abroad should not wait for perfect conditions, but must take initiative by bringing their expertise and capital back.
He said:
“We are trying to present a successful pilot project. Once businesspeople see a successful example, they will follow.”
He noted that the incentives are not only financial, but moral as well.
Economically, he pointed out that rising labor costs in Turkey have triggered a decline in its textile competitiveness—similar to what happened earlier in Europe—while production costs in Syria remain significantly lower.
“This is a historic opportunity. Part of a market worth 70 billion dollars can be ours.”
A New Model of Public–Private Partnership
The minister outlined a clear framework for future partnership:
The state provides infrastructure.
The private sector provides capital, operation, and production.
Returns are divided according to each party’s role.
He revealed that the government is evaluating public factories and offering them for investment (not privatization), with several contracts already signed, noting that state-run factory management had repeatedly failed in the past.
Industrialists’ Discussion: Protection, Costs, and Markets
Industrialist Amer Rankoussi raised the issue of protecting existing industries in light of delayed decisions and high costs.
The minister responded:
Syria today is in a “fetal stage”, still suffering from shortages of resources and skills.
But upcoming measures are expected, including:
“Smart restrictions” on imports
Revising customs tariffs
Combating smuggling
Supporting local industries
He invited industrialists to help design a balanced customs system suitable for the nine stages of the textile industry, stressing that the government “does not possess detailed technical expertise without the cooperation of industrialists.”
Register now to attend NASTEX 2026, whether as a visitor eager to explore the latest innovations in the textile sector or as an exhibitor seeking investment opportunities and long-term partnerships.
Markets Are More Important Than Protection
Al-Tattari noted that the real issue is not tariffs or protection, but the absence of markets.
Turkish products, despite higher labor costs, sell at higher prices because they have vast export markets.
“We must address the root of the problem, not its shadow. We need new markets, not just internal protection.”
Training and Qualification: Numbers and Realities
The minister presented important figures about training and capacity building in Syria’s textile sector:
Around 1,000 individuals completed intensive training programs in just six months.
Technical institutes graduate hundreds of textile and fabric chemistry specialists annually.
Training centers in Aleppo and Damascus are being upgraded to prepare skilled workers in apparel, printing, and textiles.
Infrastructure Is More Than Roads and Ports
The minister explained that economic infrastructure includes:
International relations
Trade agreements
Conferences
Foreign partnerships
Export channels
He added:
“NASTEX itself is part of the infrastructure, because it brings the world to Damascus and reconnects Syrian industry with global markets.”
U.S. Customs Tariff Reduction from 41% to 10%
The minister announced significant progress in discussions with the United States regarding customs duties on Syrian goods.
He explained that the 41% rate is not a political penalty but a numerical outcome related to trade balance deficits.
Negotiations are underway to lower the rate to 10%, supported by diplomatic and commercial efforts.
What Do Industrialists Expect from NASTEX?
According to Al-Tattari, the exhibition must highlight three main pillars:
Syrian products
Modern technologies and machinery
Exhibitors and buyers from abroad
He emphasized that the exhibition will become a connecting point between producers, manufacturers, and international companies.
The minister concluded by saying that the exhibition’s outcomes will serve as a “roadmap” for future government work, pointing to:
Expanding industrial cities
Offering new land for investment
Establishing new industrial zones
Enhancing training programs
Developing regulatory and legislative frameworks
Launching joint projects with friendly countries
He affirmed:
“What we are building today in terms of organizational and economic structures may be more important than roads and airports.”
Conclusion
The economic session at the NASTEX announcement conference was frank, deep, and transparent in diagnosing challenges and charting a path forward.
Despite the heavy toll of war, the ideas presented—and the determination shown by speakers—prove that Syria’s textile industry has a real opportunity to return stronger than before, through training, technology, partnerships, and expanding markets.
And here emerges the true role of NASTEX: contributing to weaving the future of the Syrian economy.
