Maher al-Hasan, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, revealed during a press conference held today, Wednesday, at the Ministry of Information building in Damascus, a plan to develop the bakery sector and enhance supply capacity, noting that 75 bakeries will enter service before the end of the current year as part of efforts to modernize the sector.
Al-Hasan clarified that the rate of establishing and updating bakeries in Syria since the beginning of liberation reached 150 bakeries, pointing out that the gap between the subsidized flour price and the market price constitutes an incentive for violators, leading to the cancellation of licenses for 215 private bakeries due to trafficking in subsidized flour.
He affirmed the continuation of bread subsidies at a rate of 72%, exceeding its annual cost of 600 million dollars, with 6,000 tons distributed daily. He also revealed the receipt of more than 100 cars and 400 cameras to enhance supervision, in addition to signing contracts with Saudi companies to develop mills.
Cancellation of Violators' Licenses
In the context of controlling bakery operations and preventing the exploitation of subsidized flour, licenses for 215 private bakeries were canceled since the beginning of liberation due to trafficking in subsidized flour, according to statements made by the Deputy Minister during a review of the achievements of the General Administration of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection.
He clarified that the difference between the price at which the state provides flour to bakeries and its market price constitutes an incentive for some violators to traffic in it, necessitating strict measures to control the market and prevent exploitation.
Continuation of Support and Challenges
Al-Hasan affirmed the continuation of support for bread at present, noting that the subsidy rate rose from about 60% at the beginning of liberation to 72% currently, amid rising fuel costs. He explained that any future trend to adjust the subsidy is linked to an improvement in the economic situation.
He noted that the state bears significant burdens to ensure the continuation of support, as its annual cost exceeds 600 million dollars, while the citizen pays only about 28% of the real value of bread. He pointed out that distributed quantities reach about 6,000 tons daily across Syria.
Developing Infrastructure and Services
Al-Hasan revealed that wheat quantities received during the last season amounted to about 2.7 million tons, while storage capacity did not exceed 1.2 million tons, forcing the ministry to store more than one million tons outdoors.
He highlighted the launch of an integrated program linking the grain receiving platform, queue registration, and silos with the purchasing program. He also mentioned signing contracts with Saudi companies to build several mills and maintain others, adding that the electronic program for protecting intellectual property has reached its final stages.
In the framework of enhancing supply supervision, he announced the receipt of more than 100 modern cars for supply personnel, in addition to 400 cameras dedicated to consumer protection personnel, aiming to enhance transparency in markets within the ministry's trend to raise the efficiency of human resources.
The General Administration of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection is one of the general administrations affiliated with the Ministry of Economy and Industry. It was established in April 2025 to replace the former Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, assuming its duties and authorities, and enjoys legal personality and financial and administrative independence.
These measures come within the ministry's trend to update infrastructure and expand reliance on electronic and digital systems, contributing to the development of institutional performance, simplifying procedures, and elevating the level of services provided to citizens.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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