19 May 2003
Under the patronage of Premier, Dr. Mohammad Mustafa Mero, and upon the invitation of the General Federation of Trade Unions(GFTU), the first sectorial economic symposium "The Sector of Spinning and Textile in Syria- Reality and Future Horizons" concluded its two-day meetings in Damascus Thursday.
Addressing the symposium on behalf of the Premier, Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs, Dr. Mohammad al-Hussein, underlined the significance of holding such an event since Syria is approaching a new era of cooperation with Arab and European markets, liberalising trade, eliminating all obstacles obstructing the smooth flow of inter-Arab trade, and joining World Trade Organisation.
Industry Minister, Dr. Issam al-Zaiem, also told the symposium of the need to reform, develop and modernise the public sector. There will be no sale, no privatisation for the spinning and textile sector, Minister al-Zaiem emphasised. ST had the opportunity to talk to some participants in the symposium which was held at the GFTU Conference Hall.
Member of the GFTU Executive Bureau, Secretary of Culture and Media, Abdul Rahman Azkahi, said: "The Spinning and Textile Symposium is held within the framework of GFTU`s annual activities. The GFTU will hold other events, but this time priority is given to the textile and spinning issue.
The symposium has set out to probe the reality of the spinning and textile sector in terms of production, labour and marketing. It seeks to hold a dialogue between the lecturers and the participants who are General Directors, Board Members, and representatives of Productive Committees and workers.
The main goal is to point to obstacles in a bid to eliminate them. Only then the textile and spinning sector can play a better role in backing the development process and national economy.
In collaboration with the government the GFTU will implement the recommendations of the symposium. This all falls within the framework of the process of development and modernisation led by President Dr. Bashar al-Assad".
FTU Deputy Director General, Economic Affairs Secretary, Issat al-Kanj, said: "All parties concerned took part in the meetings of the symposium, including the public sector, Ministers concerned, the private sector, GFTU, Aleppo Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Spinning Trade Unions, and General Directors of spinning and textile companies in the country.
The participants proposed positive and courageous initiatives and adopted extremely transparent approaches for eliminating all obstacles hindering the development of the spinning and textile sector.
Interesting lectures were delivered by economists from the public and private sectors, and university professors.
The GFTU will do its utmost to contribute to the materialisation of the final recommendations, which will definitely help push the development of the spinning and textile sector forward".
General Director of the General Establishment of Textile Industries, engineer Sameer Rouman, underlined the great importance of the textile and spinning issue. Mr. Rouman said: "We have to really probe the techniques and means to develop the Syrian textile industries. The symposium briefed participants about the development of the textile industries inside and outside the country.
The textile industries of the public sector have witnessed a great development recently. Two years from now the Syrian textile products should be fit enough to compete at world markets.
The government has been exerting tremendous efforts in sponsoring textile fairs abroad so as to acquaint the world with Syrian textile and spinning.
Now the national cadres concerned have had enough training at the countries of origin. Similar training is available at home to further boost the national training process.
The Establishment has mapped out plans for holding larger cooperation with Arab and foreign textile and spinning experts. It has already started cooperation with JICA and initial talks with UN agencies concerned. In addition, the Establishment has sought similar cooperation with France, Germany and Egypt for developing the Syrian textile industries".
Shedding some light on his presentation to the symposium, Director General Rouman said: زThe title of my presentation is The Technical Advancement and Future of Spinning and Textile Industry at the International Level, and Its Impact upon National Industry. The presentation includes: the early beginnings of spinning and textile industries in the world; textile industry in Syria; role of textile sector in the the Syrian economy; technological revolution and textile industry; spinning, textile, textile machines, position of Syrian textile industry; recommendations and proposals for developing the country spinning and textile industries".
Regarding the role of the textile industry in the Syrian economy, Mr. Rouman said: "According to 1999 statistics, Syria had a population of 16.3 million with a high population growth rate of 3.5%. In 1999 national income was estimated at SP 773 billion with SP 47,000 per capita per year.
The Statistics Central Bureau figures state that the net production value of the textile sector reached SP 27.4 billion, thus constituting 24.4% of the Gross Convertible Industry and almost 11.5% of the Gross Industrial Product.
The textile sector in the country plays a significant role. Around 30% of the workforce is encaged in different textile activities.
In 1999 the textile sector workers constituted around 37% of the total number of the industrial sector`s workers".
In his presentation to the symposium, Damascus University professor, Dr. Ali Kanaan, examined the contracting system; wages and incentives system; taxes and financial surpluses; investment plan; general debt fund; fund and investment plans; financial difficulties; bank finance and liquidity; maintenance and capital; recommendations and proposals.
Under the patronage of Premier, Dr. Mohammad Mustafa Mero, and upon the invitation of the General Federation of Trade Unions(GFTU), the first sectorial economic symposium "The Sector of Spinning and Textile in Syria- Reality and Future Horizons" concluded its two-day meetings in Damascus Thursday.
Addressing the symposium on behalf of the Premier, Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs, Dr. Mohammad al-Hussein, underlined the significance of holding such an event since Syria is approaching a new era of cooperation with Arab and European markets, liberalising trade, eliminating all obstacles obstructing the smooth flow of inter-Arab trade, and joining World Trade Organisation.
Industry Minister, Dr. Issam al-Zaiem, also told the symposium of the need to reform, develop and modernise the public sector. There will be no sale, no privatisation for the spinning and textile sector, Minister al-Zaiem emphasised. ST had the opportunity to talk to some participants in the symposium which was held at the GFTU Conference Hall.
Member of the GFTU Executive Bureau, Secretary of Culture and Media, Abdul Rahman Azkahi, said: "The Spinning and Textile Symposium is held within the framework of GFTU`s annual activities. The GFTU will hold other events, but this time priority is given to the textile and spinning issue.
The symposium has set out to probe the reality of the spinning and textile sector in terms of production, labour and marketing. It seeks to hold a dialogue between the lecturers and the participants who are General Directors, Board Members, and representatives of Productive Committees and workers.
The main goal is to point to obstacles in a bid to eliminate them. Only then the textile and spinning sector can play a better role in backing the development process and national economy.
In collaboration with the government the GFTU will implement the recommendations of the symposium. This all falls within the framework of the process of development and modernisation led by President Dr. Bashar al-Assad".
FTU Deputy Director General, Economic Affairs Secretary, Issat al-Kanj, said: "All parties concerned took part in the meetings of the symposium, including the public sector, Ministers concerned, the private sector, GFTU, Aleppo Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Spinning Trade Unions, and General Directors of spinning and textile companies in the country.
The participants proposed positive and courageous initiatives and adopted extremely transparent approaches for eliminating all obstacles hindering the development of the spinning and textile sector.
Interesting lectures were delivered by economists from the public and private sectors, and university professors.
The GFTU will do its utmost to contribute to the materialisation of the final recommendations, which will definitely help push the development of the spinning and textile sector forward".
General Director of the General Establishment of Textile Industries, engineer Sameer Rouman, underlined the great importance of the textile and spinning issue. Mr. Rouman said: "We have to really probe the techniques and means to develop the Syrian textile industries. The symposium briefed participants about the development of the textile industries inside and outside the country.
The textile industries of the public sector have witnessed a great development recently. Two years from now the Syrian textile products should be fit enough to compete at world markets.
The government has been exerting tremendous efforts in sponsoring textile fairs abroad so as to acquaint the world with Syrian textile and spinning.
Now the national cadres concerned have had enough training at the countries of origin. Similar training is available at home to further boost the national training process.
The Establishment has mapped out plans for holding larger cooperation with Arab and foreign textile and spinning experts. It has already started cooperation with JICA and initial talks with UN agencies concerned. In addition, the Establishment has sought similar cooperation with France, Germany and Egypt for developing the Syrian textile industries".
Shedding some light on his presentation to the symposium, Director General Rouman said: زThe title of my presentation is The Technical Advancement and Future of Spinning and Textile Industry at the International Level, and Its Impact upon National Industry. The presentation includes: the early beginnings of spinning and textile industries in the world; textile industry in Syria; role of textile sector in the the Syrian economy; technological revolution and textile industry; spinning, textile, textile machines, position of Syrian textile industry; recommendations and proposals for developing the country spinning and textile industries".
Regarding the role of the textile industry in the Syrian economy, Mr. Rouman said: "According to 1999 statistics, Syria had a population of 16.3 million with a high population growth rate of 3.5%. In 1999 national income was estimated at SP 773 billion with SP 47,000 per capita per year.
The Statistics Central Bureau figures state that the net production value of the textile sector reached SP 27.4 billion, thus constituting 24.4% of the Gross Convertible Industry and almost 11.5% of the Gross Industrial Product.
The textile sector in the country plays a significant role. Around 30% of the workforce is encaged in different textile activities.
In 1999 the textile sector workers constituted around 37% of the total number of the industrial sector`s workers".
In his presentation to the symposium, Damascus University professor, Dr. Ali Kanaan, examined the contracting system; wages and incentives system; taxes and financial surpluses; investment plan; general debt fund; fund and investment plans; financial difficulties; bank finance and liquidity; maintenance and capital; recommendations and proposals.
Bashar Sati
© Syria Times 2003
