Small and Micro Enterprises in Syria have faced an uphill struggle for the last 40 years. They have had to put up with Soviet-style command economy policies, nationalization, bureaucratic restrictions on imports and exports and rampant corruption.

In addition, SMEs have been gradually pushed out of the market by large companies that hold a monopoly over the import of raw materials. Due to economic underdevelopment and existing rules which prejudice SMEs, banks do not offer adequate loans to fund expansion. The lack of business consultancy firms and experience in floating and merging companies has stunted the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Reliable labour is major problem for SMEs. Because the education system is not geared towards meeting the needs of the job market, businesses have struggled to get hold of and keep a well-trained and disciplined workforce.

In addition to all this, SMEs also have to contend with rampant corruption which often leads to huge price increases and renders businesses unprofitable.

We in the Movement for Justice and Development are passionately committed to helping SMEs. We propose ending all forms of monopolization and taking measures to open up the Syrian market and to increase business transparency.

Syria should have its own stock exchange, and should be integrated into the world economy through a strong private banking sector.

A future government should invest heavily in training in order to create a work force that will attract inward investment, while adopting strict anti-corruption measures to end waste and mismanagement.