Raqqa Craft and Industrial Zone

Project Framework and Signing Parties

On 14 June 2026, at the close of the 24th Buildex International Construction and Building Exhibition, the Raqqa branch of the Syrian Investment Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with Kayan Commercial Holding Group and the Turkish construction firm MYB to establish and develop a craft and industrial zone in Raqqa governorate, SANA reported. The signing took place at the Damascus Fairgrounds, according to Kayan. The memorandum falls within Raqqa Vision 2030, which SANA describes as the governorate's medium-term development plan, and Kayan presents the project as a public-private partnership.

Background to the Agreement

On 3 March 2026, the Minister of Economy and Industry, Nidal al-Shaar, met the Governor of Raqqa, Abd al-Rahman Salama, at the ministry in Damascus. According to SANA, they reviewed the industrial and craft sectors in the governorate and agreed to begin studying an integrated industrial city and an organised craft zone, to absorb growing productive activity, organise workshops and improve the investment environment.

Project Components

According to SANA, the memorandum aims to rehabilitate infrastructure and strengthen craft and industrial activity in Raqqa through commercial units built to modern designs, wide streets and integrated infrastructure. Walid al-Hindawi, Chairman of Kayan Holding, told SANA the zone would bring manufacturers and craftsmen together in one fully serviced area, with service points for different industries, emergency points and medical services. In June, Hindawi put the planned capacity at about 3,000 industrial and craft shops, according to Safir Press and Hawa Alsham; Kayan's own announcement gives the same figure and also lists prayer rooms, rest areas and a mall selling industrial parts and trade supplies.

Targeted Crafts and Trades

Engineer Basel Hamouiyeh, director of the Syrian Investment Authority's Raqqa branch, told SANA that the zone would accommodate dozens of crafts and trades, with shops allocated by specialisation. Trades named by Hamouiyeh or in Kayan's announcement include:

• Glass-making
• Carpentry
• Car mechanics and maintenance
• Aluminium work and blacksmithing
• Light industries and other basic crafts

According to Hamouiyeh, the aim is to move craft and industrial activity to a dedicated area, making Raqqa city quieter and more orderly and reducing noise from these trades in residential neighbourhoods.

Timeline and Investment Facilitation

On 14 June, Hamouiyeh said the Authority offers facilitation to companies wishing to invest in the sector and that the project was expected to be completed within a year and a half (SANA). Hindawi said Kayan and its partners would offer suitable payment and ownership arrangements so that tradespeople and manufacturers can acquire their shops; he expected the foundation stone to be laid the following month and put the execution period at one and a half to two years (Safir Press, Hawa Alsham and Syrian Industry News).

The Project Within Raqqa's Rebuilding

Hindawi told SANA that the zone is part of efforts to encourage the people of Raqqa to return to their governorate and contribute to its development. SANA added that the 24th Buildex saw several agreements and memoranda of understanding between Syrian, Arab and foreign companies, aimed at partnerships for reconstruction and the transfer of construction expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the parties to the project?
The June 2026 memorandum was signed by the Raqqa branch of the Syrian Investment Authority, Kayan Commercial Holding Group (Syria) and MYB Construction Company (Türkiye). On 3 September 2026, Raqqa Governorate and the Syrian Investment Authority signed the contract with the two companies (SANA).

Where will the zone be built?
At the Sahlat al-Banat site, about 4 km from Raqqa city, according to the Minister of Local Administration and Environment on 4 September 2026 (SANA).

How large will it be?
According to the minister, between 70 and 150 hectares, with 2,500 to 4,000 plots. In June 2026, Hindawi had put the number of shops at about 3,000.

What will the zone contain?
According to SANA, the memorandum aims to develop commercial units to modern designs, wide streets and integrated infrastructure. Hindawi told SANA the zone would also have service points for different industries, medical services and emergency points.

Which trades are targeted?
Those named by Hamouiyeh (SANA) and in Kayan's announcement include glass-making, carpentry, car mechanics, aluminium work, blacksmithing and light industries.

What is the expected timeline?
In June 2026, Hamouiyeh expected completion within a year and a half, while Hindawi put execution at one and a half to two years. In September 2026, the head of the relations office at the Authority's Raqqa branch told Enab Baladi that the period agreed with the implementing company is up to 36 months.

What is Raqqa Vision 2030?
According to SANA, a medium-term development plan for Raqqa governorate that sets a path for its development and for using its economic and investment potential.

Why a dedicated zone for crafts?
According to Hamouiyeh, to move craft and industrial activity to a purpose-built area, reducing noise in residential neighbourhoods and making the city more orderly.

Update, 19 September 2026: contract signed and site announced

On Thursday, 3 September 2026, Raqqa Governorate and the Syrian Investment Authority signed a contract with Kayan Commercial Holding Group and MYB to establish the craft and industrial zone, at the “Made in Syria” pavilion of the 63rd Damascus International Fair, SANA reported. According to the agency, the contract aims to build an integrated environment for industry, organise industrial and professional activity in a modern, serviced zone and open more room for investors. Kayan said the signing was attended by the ministers of local administration and environment and of finance, the Governor of Raqqa and the deputy minister of economy and industry.

Site and size. On 4 September 2026, the Minister of Local Administration and Environment, Mohammad Anjrani, announced in a post on X that the zone will be built at the Sahlat al-Banat site, about 4 km from Raqqa city, on 70 to 150 hectares, with 2,500 to 4,000 plots (SANA).

Statements at the signing. Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Mohammad Yaseen Hourieh told SANA the contract is a starting point for industrial and craft work in the governorate and a step towards an integrated industrial city there, in line with Raqqa Vision 2030. Iyad Najjar, head of the General Union of Craftsmen, told SANA the zone would organise the work of craftsmen and manufacturers in Raqqa and move it outside the city, reducing noise and pollution from workshops.

Latest status. Abdullah al-Shawakh, head of the relations office at the Investment Authority's Raqqa branch, told Enab Baladi on 19 September 2026 that the site lies northeast of Raqqa city, with an initial area of about 700,000 square metres and plans to expand it to roughly double. He said Raqqa City Council is supervising the preliminary works, that infrastructure works were expected to begin within days, and that the execution period agreed with the implementing company is up to 36 months.