Mahmoud Fadila, Director General of the General Company for Cement and Building Materials Marketing (Omran), revealed that more than 15 companies—both local and from Arab and foreign countries—have submitted bids to invest in the cement mills of the Tartus Cement Plant.

Fadila explained that, since the beginning of July, the Ministry of Economy and Industry and the Cement Company have issued a terms of reference document for the investment of the mills at the Tartus plant. The document outlines the technical, legal, and financial investment conditions, according to a report published today, Tuesday, July 29, by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

An introductory session was held on the investment in the Tartus Cement Plant mills, at the headquarters of the Adra Cement Company in Damascus suburbs, attended by managers and representatives of 15 companies from Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, and Germany—all expressing interest in investing in Syria’s cement and building materials sector.

During the session, participants discussed key points related to the nature of mill investment and the technical and financial evaluation study of the mills.

Fadila clarified that these companies are not only interested in the mills of the Tartus Cement Plant but also in all the plants owned by the company, whose mills will be offered for investment successively. This follows the cessation of clinker production (the raw material for cement before grinding) due to high local production costs at this stage. The company is moving toward importing this material and grinding it in its plants, which would reduce the cost of cement production.

On July 6, the General Company for Cement and Building Materials Marketing (Omran) announced a call for bids to invest in several mills at the Tartus plant, in accordance with technical, legal, and financial terms of reference.

The value of the temporary security deposit was set at USD 500,000, while the final deposit was set at USD 1 million.

Bids are to be submitted to the company’s office in Damascus, either in person or by registered mail, provided they are officially recorded before the end of working hours on the final submission date, which is set for September 3.

The investment period has been set at ten years, starting from the day following the issuance of the order to commence work to the contractor.

Maintenance of Hama Cement Plant

Technical and engineering teams at the Hama Cement Plant are conducting maintenance work on the plant’s facilities in preparation for resuming production, to improve quality and reduce operational costs.

Ammar al-Sheikh, Director of the Hama Cement Plant, stated on Tuesday, July 29, that maintenance work has covered all stages of the production process—from the quarries and conveyor belts for rocks and raw materials to the raw mill and kiln. Additionally, the electrostatic filter has been upgraded to enhance its efficiency in reducing emissions, according to SANA.

Al-Sheikh also announced the production of a new type of cement, Pozzolanic Cement 42, which surpasses the previous type (32) in quality. It also helps lower production costs, thus enhancing the plant’s competitive edge.