ECONOMIC - INDUSTRIAL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700210140-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 10, 2002
• Sequence Number: 140
• Publication Date: March 12, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2002/08/06 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000700210140-8
CLASSIFICATION RESTRICTED
SECURITY INFORMATION
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENC`
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS
COUNTRY Syria
SUBJECT Economic - Industrial
HOW
PUBLISHED Daily newspaper
WHERE
PUBLISHED Cairo
DATE
PUBLISHED 5 Nov 1952
LANGUAGE
French
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Journal du Commerce et de la Marine.
25X1A
INFORMATION 1952
REPORT NO
CD NO.
DATE OF
DATE DIST. /,-. Mar 1953
NO. OF PAGES 2
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
ILLEGIB
,he 5 November 1952 issue of the Cairo Journal du Commerce et
de la Marine published a report on the development of Syrian industry,
released by the Secretariat General of the Arab League. Highlights
of this report follow.]
Syrian industry developed considerably during World War II, Following the
lifting of the French mandate, the Syrian governments did everything to protect
and encourage industry by means of long-term loans and the recent adoption of a
protective policy.
The first cement plant was founded in 1931 in the suburbs of Damascus;
however, its production never satisfied more than. a, part of'the national demand.
The addition of a third furnace recently installed permits a production increase.
A new cement plant was founded in Aleppo in 1951, raising total cement
production to 46,372 tons for the first 6 months of 1952.
The canning industry prospered during the war because of import reestric-
tions, but declined again after the war. However, new, modern plantr have been
founded, and recent protective measures decreed by the authorities give hope for
a revival of this industry.
An attempt at founding a glass industry was first tried during the time
of the French mandate but ended in complete failure, and the plant was closed.
After the last war, a large, modern 1,000-horsepower plant was established in
Approved For Release 2002/08/06 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000700210140-8
25X1A
 Approved For Release 2002/08/06 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000700210140-8
25X1A
Damascus, with an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons. This plant has
produced all kinds of articles, such as candy dishes, bottles, eta Part of its
production is exported to neighboring countries.
A modern sugar refinery has been constructed in Home, and large neigh-
boring areas have been planted with auger beets. The refinery also produces
alcohol, glucose, and starch and refines the crude red sugar. About 20,000 tons
of red sugar were refined in 1950.
Tanneries and Leather
The tanneries annually produce 1,500,000 feet `le7 of leather of all
kinds, as well as 750 tons of soles. It is hoped that production will meet the
national demand in the near future.
Soap and Vegetable Oils
The soap and vegetable oil industry made an advance, following the
expansion of cotton cultivation,; more cotton seeds are now being supplied to
the factories. Seven million olive trees produce more then 90,000 tons of
olives, two thirds of which goes to oil presses. A certain amount of oil is
exported to neighboring countries. Production is 10,000 tons of oil per year,
an amount in excess of local demand.
Spinning and Weaving
The spinning and weaving industry is one of the most important in
Syria. At the beginning of 1952, there were 583 spinning and weaving mills,
with 114,264 spindles and 3,642 looms.
Approved For Release 2002/08/06 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000700211
ILLEGIB