DAMASCUS - Minister of Local Administration Omar Ibrahim Ghalawanji on Sunday discussed on Sunday with a delegation from Damascus and Damascus Countryside Chamber of Industry the possibility of establishing two new industrial zones in Harasta and al-Kalamoun to develop the areas, provide new job opportunities and establish specific industries.
The meeting also dealt with the possibility of converting temporary administrative licenses of industrial facilities into permanent licenses, providing permanent licenses to industrial facilities, and reconsidering fees imposed on industrialists or waving them for exported goods.
Minister Ghalawanji affirmed that his Ministry is supporting the industrial sector through preparing infrastructures and services, supervising industrial cities and zones and providing industry requirements.
He pointed out that giving permanent licenses to industrial facilities outside organizational plans requires meeting a number of technical and environmental conditions in order to study the possibility of converting them into industrial zones and giving them permanent license, which requires coordination between Damascus Countryside Governorate and the Chamber of Industry.
The Minister requested an inventory of 14 industrial zones in order to study their cases and make a decision, adding that waving local administration fees on exported goods is being considered and that a committee is working to facilitate establishing industrial projects and giving them more flexibility.
He expressed his Ministry's readiness to establish industrial zones in Harasta and al-Kalamoun to be added to the 25 existing zones.
Ghalawanji noted that the Ministry has published the draft of local administration law on the partnership website (www.youropinion.gov.sy) and the Ministry's website (www.mla-sy.org) to receive feedback and observations from citizens, adding that the new law will give more authority to administrative units to fulfill their duties and play their role in the development process on a larger scale.
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2011
