Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Industry Discusses Food Sector Challenges and the New Guiding Manual
Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Industry Discusses Food Sector Challenges and the New Guiding Manual
Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Industry Discusses Food Sector Challenges and the New Guiding Manual
The Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Industry held an extensive meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2026, chaired by Eng. Mohammad Ayman Al-Moulawi, Chairman of the Chamber, and Mr. Osama Al-Nann, Board Member and Head of the Food Sector. The meeting was attended by Mr. Abdullah Al-Zayed, Secretary of the Chamber, Mr. Raif Al-Subai, Board Member and Vice Head of the Food Sector, and Mr. Osama Al-Hamwi, Board Member and Secretary of the Sector, alongside heads of sub-committees. The session was dedicated to discussing food sector challenges and mechanisms for implementing the new guiding manual.
During the meeting, subcommittee heads conveyed a collective objection from industrialists regarding the immediate closure of facilities upon recording violations. Attendees emphasized the necessity of adopting a gradual penalty system, starting with warnings and notices to comply with Syrian standards. They stressed the importance of clearly distinguishing between "major violations" that require deterrent measures and "minor violations" that do not warrant halting production.
The meeting reviewed the pillars of the Guiding Manual for Food Facility Requirements issued by the Ministry of Economy and Industry. Participants highlighted the importance of circulating this manual to all small and large facilities to raise awareness among industrialists and workers. They also called for applying Syrian standard specifications to imported products with the same rigor applied to local ones. Furthermore, they urged the involvement of a committee of laboratory experts and specialists to work with the Syrian Arab Organization for Standardization and Metrology to ensure accurate technical decisions before final standards are adopted. It was noted that food industries, particularly canning (conserves), are highly sensitive to storage conditions and climate, factors that must be considered during inspections.
Regarding supply chain monitoring (Tamween), attendees pointed out a lack of technical awareness among some inspectors, criticizing the practice of issuing closure decisions based on "visual inspection" alone without referring to laboratory analysis. They called for violations to be officially recorded only after precise lab results are issued and proposed forming a joint committee of industrialists and technicians to evaluate and classify the severity of violations.
Both Eng. Mohammad Ayman Al-Moulawi and Mr. Osama Al-Nann reaffirmed ongoing coordination with the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection and the Standardization Organization to address all obstacles facing the food sector, especially the issue of closures. They aims to reach a formula that protects everyone's rights while ensuring commitment to relevant Syrian standards. They noted the high level of cooperation, flexibility, and coordination provided by the Ministry and the Organization, which has fostered a positive atmosphere and increased optimism for successful outcomes.
In conclusion, Eng. Mohammad Ayman Al-Moulawi stressed that each committee must submit a detailed memo outlining its specific challenges and proposals regarding standards and closure penalties. These memos will be submitted to the relevant authorities to reach balanced decisions that ensure food safety while supporting the continuity of the production process
21/4/2026
