The Ministry of Economy and Industry in the Syrian Arab Republic has issued a decision allowing the establishment of touristic bakeries in Syria, as part of a broader effort to support investment in the food industry and develop the production of bread and related baked products through modern and regulated standards.
The decision aims to enable investors to establish an integrated food-industrial bakery specialized in the production and sale of different types of bread. It also allows these bakeries to produce and sell samoon, kaak, pastries, and sweets of various kinds, in line with market needs and with priority given to organized marketing.
According to the decision, a touristic bakery is not limited to a traditional bread-production facility. Rather, it is designed as a modern and integrated food-production project that relies on automated and advanced production lines.
The permitted products include:
This reflects a move toward a more organized and market-oriented bakery model, combining industrial production, product diversity, and commercial presentation under a clear legal and technical framework.
The decision sets specific requirements for the location of a touristic bakery. The bakery must be located on a main street within cities or their nearby suburbs, ensuring easy access and strong visibility for consumers.
The decision also requires the bakery to have a modern architectural style and a design that reflects the identity of the commercial brand. This indicates that the project is expected to meet not only production standards, but also visual, commercial, and branding requirements.
One of the key conditions is that the property area must not be less than 3,000 square meters. This makes touristic bakery projects more suitable for medium to large-scale investments, as the required space allows for production lines, storage areas, retail sections, service facilities, and logistical operations.
The decision states that the technical study submitted by the Syrian Bakeries Establishment shall be considered the reference for construction specifications, production lines, finishing materials, health requirements, and public safety conditions.
This means that investors seeking to establish a touristic bakery must comply with technical, health, and safety requirements related to the building, production process, equipment, finishing materials, and operational procedures.
According to the decision, the applicant or their legal representative must submit a licensing request for a touristic bakery to the General Directorate of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in Damascus.
The application must include several required documents, including:
These requirements show that the licensing process is not only commercial, but also administrative, legal, and regulatory in nature.
The decision provides for the formation of a specialized committee composed of representatives from relevant public authorities.
This committee is responsible for reviewing licensing applications, conducting field inspections of the proposed site, assessing its suitability, and submitting its recommendations regarding the approval of the location.
After the initial licensing approval is issued, the file is referred to the Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Directorate in the relevant governorate to complete the financial and technical licensing procedures, issue the commercial register, and obtain the administrative license.
The licensing approval is valid for one calendar year from the date of issuance and may be extended.
This gives investors sufficient time to complete the required procedures, prepare the site, install equipment, and finalize the technical and administrative requirements before starting operations.
The decision to allow the establishment of touristic bakeries represents an important regulatory step for the bakery and food-production sector in Syria.
It creates a new opportunity for modern food-industrial projects that rely on automated production, clear technical standards, diversified products, and organized commercial operations.
From an economic perspective, these projects may contribute to creating new job opportunities, encouraging investment in industrial production lines, and supporting related supply chains such as raw materials, packaging, logistics, and distribution.
The new decision opens the door for investors interested in the food and bakery sector in Syria.
However, entering this sector requires a comprehensive preparation process, including site selection, market demand assessment, technical study preparation, investment and operating cost analysis, production-line planning, branding strategy, and preparation of the full licensing file.
For investors, touristic bakeries may represent an attractive opportunity, especially in areas with high consumer traffic, strong demand for baked goods, and potential for brand-based food retail expansion.
The decision issued by the Ministry of Economy and Industry allowing the establishment of touristic bakeries in Syria is an important step toward developing and organizing the bakery sector.
The decision does not merely allow new bakery licenses; it introduces a more structured model based on large spaces, modern design, advanced production lines, technical compliance, and health and safety standards.
As a result, touristic bakeries may become a promising investment opportunity in Syria’s food industry, provided that the project is supported by a proper feasibility study, a clear operational plan, and full compliance with licensing requirements.
