The General Organization for Cement and Building Materials Marketing (Omran) at the Adra Cement Plant (near Damascus) received a technical delegation from Saudi Arabia’s Northern Cement Group on Thursday, August 15, as part of the memorandum of understanding signed during the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum last month. The agreement aims to rehabilitate and modernize state-owned cement plants in Syria.
Technical Cooperation
The Saudi delegation, made up of engineers and specialists in operations, maintenance, and production line development, toured the grinding and packaging departments and reviewed the plant’s current technical and operational status.
Discussions focused on steps to increase production capacity and improve quality. Both sides agreed to begin trials to produce pozzolanic cement (Cem II) locally, introduce specialized training programs for Syrian staff, and supply the necessary clinker for grinding operations. The Saudi group also pledged technical consultations and logistical support.
Training and Human Capital
Omran’s Director General, Mahmoud Fadila, told Enab Baladi that the visit marked a shift from planning to implementation, with a strong focus on training and the human element. He noted that Northern Cement Group holds patents and operates advanced research centers in Saudi Arabia, giving the partnership “a strong technical dimension, especially in training Syrian staff on modern cement manufacturing technologies.”
The agreement includes testing clinker samples imported from the Saudi group’s facilities, at its expense, as part of practical training for Syrian engineers and technicians. A vocational training center at the Adra plant will also be reactivated with Saudi assistance to prepare skilled workers capable of supporting both public and private factories.
Strategic Plan for the Market
According to Fadila, Omran has developed a strategic plan to strengthen its competitiveness in the domestic market by matching imported cement products in quality and diversity. He acknowledged the challenges facing Syrian producers—rising energy costs, aging production lines, and years of neglect and corruption—but stressed, “We will not stand powerless in producing cement despite all the challenges.”
The company will launch recruitment competitions and a 90-day training program, extendable if needed, under the supervision of Arab and foreign experts. Training will cover the production of pozzolanic cement, industrial safety, and environmental standards, with participants receiving certification.
In parallel, rehabilitation of production lines will continue with the aim of boosting output and building a sustainable cement industry that meets international standards in the context of Syria’s reconstruction.
Background
Saudi Arabia and Syria signed the memorandum of understanding between Omran and Northern Cement Group on July 24 during the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum, signaling renewed economic cooperation between the two countries.