The Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iraqi investment group Vertex to rehabilitate, expand, and operate the third production line at the Hama Cement plant located in central Syria.

The agreement targets increasing the line’s clinker production capacity from 3,300 tons to 5,000 tons per day (tpd) within 13 months. Additionally, it plans the construction of a new 6,000 tpd production line, which would raise the plant’s total capacity to nearly 11,000 tpd over the next five years.

The MoU includes provisions for workforce training, adoption of international quality standards, and compliance with environmental and safety norms, all aimed at enhancing Syria’s competitiveness in the cement sector.

Mahmoud Fadila, director of the General Organization for Cement and Building Materials (OMRAN), described the agreement as the largest investment in the industry to date, valued at approximately $300 million. The contract is expected to be finalized within a month, following a build–operate–transfer (BOT) framework.

Foreign interest in the Hama Cement plant has been notable. In August, the Ministry signed a deal with Emirati company A³&Co to rehabilitate the same production line, provide strategic consulting, and train around 80 engineers and workers. This initiative also includes plans to introduce automation and artificial intelligence technologies to Syria’s cement industry.

Fadila emphasized that there would be no overlap between the Iraqi and Emirati projects, clarifying that the UAE-supported training program is focused on facilities under direct Syrian government control, such as the plant’s second production line.