Syria is a country hampered in recent years by slow economic growth and a slow population growth rate. They are looking now to their most important industries for support and are relying o*n private sector involvement in manufacturing. After the 1960's the government began industrializing the nation and economic growth accelerated rapidly. The country also began placing tariffs o*n imported goods and granted credits and tax exemptions to domestic Syrian goods. All this helped the manufacturing sector grow, especially its textile industry.
Textiles in Syria represents nearly 12% of the total industrial output of the country and is the second largest industry in Syria behind mining and oil. Employing nearly 30% of the citizens, the textile industry is a source of pride for Syrian residents. They have established a strong expertise in the cotton and woolen markets, crafting intricate and reliable garments and other fabric related goods for sale worldwide. Assisted by the tax credits from the government, Syrian textile plants have enjoyed a steady growth every year while many other industries have slowly fallen.
Finished textile goods such as carpets and clothing, have had as much as a 75% tariff charged to them, heavily influencing the buying decisions of locals. However, in November 2005 the government allowed international garments to be imported with a 47.5% tariff rate, which may still be high, but is not enough to discourage powerhouse countries such as China from attempting to lay a foothold in the Syrian textile market.
Since before the Middle Ages, handmade Syrian fabric was known the world over. Located at the intersection of the most influential countries of the time, they were frequently the center of trade routes and raw material exchanges, which gave them the ability to learn and easily obtain the materials needed for textile production. Today, linens and cotton based goods dominate the Syrian textile industry.