Al-Salam Mall and Automated Bakery

Homs Governorate witnessed the laying of the foundation stone for the Al-Salam Mall and Bayt Al-Khubz Automated Bakery project in the Al-Insha'at district on 5 June 2026. The ceremony was attended by senior government officials and business representatives, and was announced through the official channels of the Ministry of Economy and Industry on the same day. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the project is built on the site of the former automated bakery in the Al-Insha'at district.

Project Scope and Components

The project covers a total area of 5,000 square metres and integrates two primary functions: a commercial complex comprising diverse retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational and service facilities, and an advanced automated bakery operating in accordance with modern quality standards. The new bakery occupies approximately 800 square metres (per SANA). The dual-purpose design aims to stimulate economic activity in the governorate while ensuring a sustainable and reliable supply of bread to residents.

Investment Structure and Legal Framework

The project is being implemented under an investment arrangement on land owned by the Syrian Bakeries Corporation, structured as a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) public-private partnership (a model in which a private investor finances, builds, and operates an asset for a defined period before transferring it back to the public owner). Upon the expiry of the investment contract, full ownership of the commercial complex will revert to the Corporation. This model is designed to leverage public assets for local development purposes, enabling private-sector financing and operation during the contract period while preserving long-term public ownership.

Timeline and Expected Employment

SANA reported that the works are expected to be completed within 18 months. The project is anticipated to provide jobs for approximately 2,500 workers during the construction phase, and more than 500 permanent jobs once operational, distributed across the commercial outlets and service facilities. These figures are reported by the source and may be revised as implementation proceeds.

Officials and Stakeholders

The foundation-stone ceremony was attended by a number of senior officials and project stakeholders, including:

• Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Maher Khalil Al-Hassan
• Governor of Homs Marhaf Al-Na'san
• Director General of the Syrian Bakeries Corporation Mohammad Al-Sayyadi
• Director of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Wael Barghal
• Investor Abdulsalam Fayad, one of the project's shareholders
• A number of officials and business figures

Broader Context: Talkalkh Bakery Rehabilitation

This project forms part of a wider government effort to expand Syria's network of automated bakeries. On 22 April, the automated bakery in the city of Talkalkh in western rural Homs was reopened following the completion of maintenance and rehabilitation works carried out in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP). The Ministry of Economy and Industry confirmed that these initiatives are part of a systematic plan to improve bread production quality and strengthen food security across Syrian governorates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Al-Salam Mall and automated bakery project located?
The project is located in the Al-Insha'at district of Homs, on the site of the former automated bakery, according to SANA.

When was the foundation stone laid?
The foundation stone was laid on 5 June 2026.

What is the total area of the project?
The project covers a total area of 5,000 square metres, of which approximately 800 square metres are allocated to the new bakery.

What does the project include?
It includes a commercial complex of diverse retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational and service facilities, alongside an advanced automated bakery.

Who owns the land and how is the project structured?
The land is owned by the Syrian Bakeries Corporation. The project follows a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) public-private partnership, and full ownership of the commercial complex reverts to the Corporation when the investment contract expires.

How long will the works take?
According to SANA, the works are expected to be completed within 18 months.

How many jobs is the project expected to create?
It is expected to provide jobs for approximately 2,500 workers during construction and more than 500 permanent jobs once operational.

Who are the officials and investors associated with the project?
Attendees included Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Maher Khalil Al-Hassan, Governor of Homs Marhaf Al-Na'san, and Syrian Bakeries Corporation Director General Mohammad Al-Sayyadi, with investor Abdulsalam Fayad among the project's shareholders.