Employers strengthen capacity for sustainable textile production in Syria.

Turin (ILO News) From 23 to 30 November 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO), through its Regional Office for Arab States, organized a study tour and training programme in Italy for employers from Syria's textile and garment sector under the Weaving Hope project. The mission brought together 17 business owners and representatives of the Chambers of Industry of Aleppo and Damascus, alongside a representative from the Ministry of Economy and Resources.

Funded by the Government of Italy and implemented jointly with UNIDO, the initiative aimed to strengthen employers' technical capacities, promote responsible business conduct, and enhance preparedness for engagement with Italian and European markets. The programme combined training sessions at the ILO's International Training Centre (ITCILO) in Turin with field visits to industrial districts, enterprises, employers' organizations, and innovation centres in Turin, Florence, Prato, and Milan.

Syrian employers and representative from the Chambers of Industriy during a capacity-building programme in Italy

Participants engaged with key Italian employers' organizations and industry stakeholders, including Unione Industriali Torino, Confindustria Toscana Nord, Confindustria Moda, ACIMIT, and leading textile, garment, and machinery companies. These exchanges provided first-hand insights into Italy's industrial district model, quality-driven and vertically integrated production, circular economy practices, and the role of employers' organizations in supporting enterprise competitiveness, compliance, and market access.

Through our study visit to Italy under the Weaving Hope project, I witnessed firsthand that access to European markets requires more than competitive products; it requires a solid culture of compliance, respect for decent working conditions, and transparent practices. I am convinced that if Syrian industries embrace these principles and integrate them into daily operations, our sector can transform its existing capacities into a significant advantage and open real opportunities for sustainable and responsible engagement with international partners. Mr. Anas Trabulsi, Business Owner, Lorenzo Factory, and Board Member of the Chamber of Industry in Damascus

Training sessions focused on international labour standards, buyers' codes of conduct, and emerging European regulatory frameworks affecting textile and garment supply chains. Particular emphasis was placed on transparency, traceability, occupational safety and health, and respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, as well as practical tools to strengthen enterprise governance, documentation systems, and workforce skills.

Syrian employers and representative from the Chambers of Industriy during a capacity-building programme in Italy

The study tour increased employers' awareness of the opportunities and challenges associated with re-engaging with regional and global markets. It also highlighted the strategic role of Chambers of Industry in delivering collective services, supporting compliance, and coordinating sector-wide market outreach.

Syrian employers and representative from the Chambers of Industriy during a capacity-building programme in Italy

The mission forms part of the broader Weaving Hope project, which supports the recovery and resilience of Syria's garment and textile sector by promoting decent work, competitiveness, and responsible business practices. Building on these outcomes, the ILO will continue working with employers and their organizations to translate learning into concrete actions and prepare the sector for future international engagement.