First construction phase of largest industrial zone in NE Syria finished
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – Manbij Municipality of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) completed on Saturday the first phase of construction of the largest industrial zone in northeast Syria.
Khalid Ibrahim, co-chair of Manbij Municipality, told North Press that the first phase included installing the drainage system from the industrial zone to the al-Mankuba River, extending 1400 meters at an estimated cost of $106,000, which was included in the 2023 budget.
The industrial zone is located near the village of Azer in the east of Manbij, northern Syria, and extends 430 dunams.
Ibrahim said that they allocated a budget ranging between $450,000 to $500,000 from the 2024 budget for the second phase of the project. This phase includes road construction, installing the sewage system within the industrial zone, constructing yards and shops.
Ibrahim added that this industrial zone is considered the largest one throughout Northeast Syria.
The industrial zone will include 610 stores, factories, and warehouses. The project is divided into four stages due to the high cost and workload, spanning four years from 2023 to 2026, Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim also pointed out the second phase, which will be implemented during 2024, includes establishing the stores and factories for food, wood, and metal industries.
He pointed out that the industrial zone includes a large garage space covering an area of 50 dunams, aiming to prevent trucks from entering the city in order to alleviate traffic jam.
The distribution of stores and factories will be coordinated with the Industry and Trade directorates of the AANES, in addition to civil society organizations and the Union of Professions, as they will be leased to industrialists based on lease contract.
The industrial sector is a vital part of the economy in AANES-run areas, providing employment opportunities for thousands of families in the midst of the country’s difficult living conditions.