Aleppo’s garment industry under threat from influx of low-quality imports

ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – The influx of imported goods from outdated or surplus factory stockpiles is threatening Aleppo’s garment industry, which accounts for 65% of the city’s textile sector, according to Mohammad Zezon, a board member of the Aleppo Chamber of Industry.

Speaking to North Press on Monday, Zezon warned that these low-cost imports are undermining local production and jeopardizing employment. “This directly affects job creation and the sustainability of labor in the sector,” he said.

Zezon emphasized the need for fair import regulations that protect domestic manufacturers:

“We have legitimate demands to rationalize imports, especially in the garment sector, which includes every stage of production—from yarn to fabric, dyeing, and finishing.”

He noted that the continued entry of low-quality foreign goods could dismantle an entire industrial chain in Syria. “This would effectively eliminate a nine-stage manufacturing process that employs a large number of workers,” Zezon explained.

Industrialists are also calling for tighter controls on how imported goods enter the country. “We insist that all imported goods pass through official land or sea crossings, and that strict quality control measures be enforced,” Zezon stated.

While calling for a temporary freeze on clothing imports, Zezon proposed a clearly defined timeline—perhaps spanning several months—to give local producers a chance to regain access to export markets. “The Syrian industry currently faces significant challenges in reaching foreign markets due to ongoing political and economic conditions,” he added.

Highlighting recent promotional efforts, Zezon said the Aleppo Chamber of Industry organized two successful exhibitions: the “Khan al-Harir” fair in Damascus and another at the Sheraton Hotel in Aleppo. “Both events were highly successful, and we’re now preparing for a major export-focused exhibition in September, where we plan to host leading business figures from across the Arab world.”

He stressed that opening foreign markets is a strategic goal for the Syrian industrial sector but should occur under fair and competitive conditions. “Dumping low-cost, stockpiled imports into the local market undermines Syrian manufacturers’ ability to compete,” Zezon warned.

Concluding his remarks, Zezon stated, “While Syrian producers strive to offer high-quality products and pay fair wages, they find themselves unable to compete with imported goods sold at prices below local production costs. This reality threatens factory closures, mass layoffs, and further strain on the national economy.”