Countryside suburb was once Syria’s breadbasket
Damascus hopes the recapture of Eastern Ghouta — the agricultural belt surrounding the Syrian capital and once Syria’s breadbasket — will lead to economic gains for the country.
Before the outbreak of the war in 2011, Ghouta boasted 5,665 hectares of highly fertile agricultural land, with 120,000 cows and 120,000 sheep, according to figures provided by the Ministry of Economy.
It was the base for most Damascus industrial factories because of its affordable rent and manpower.
If restored to their previous locations, this would reduce rent in Damascus and — authorities hope — distract people from politics and war.
Although many of Ghouta’s fields have been torched or badly damaged, a surprising 30 per cent remain salvageable.
Damascus has always relied on Ghouta for its milk, dairy products, meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables.
Even after Ghouta fell in 2012, its produce continued to reach Damascus, but always at inflated prices on the black market.
During the war, most of Ghouta’s factories were looted and destroyed in the fighting, prompting their owners to relocate, either to Damascus itself or elsewhere in the Arab world.
Once recaptured, the government will eventually reopen the Harasta Highway — the economic lifeline of southern Damascus and the route for Ghouta to get its products to Homs and other cities in central Syria.
Syrian business journalist Adnan Abdul Razak says the government has ambitious development plans for the area.
“Of course this is easier said than done,” he told Gulf News, explaining that Ghouta is currently a shadow of its former self having endured five years of siege and war.
Challenges
A fleeing civilian population will also hurt government plans for development there.
“Before the operation 400,000 people lived in Ghouta, but now that number is less than 80,000,” he said.
Thousands of civilians have fled in the past two weeks as the government pushes on with its offensive to oust rebels there. Funding will also be a daunting challenge.
In addition to rebuilding towns and cities, authorities have to restore electricity, clean water, a sewage system, schools, police, and sanitary workers — a colossal task that requires money — money that Damascus doesn’t have at present and will likely come from Russia and Iran — its chief allies.
Still some Syrians are optimistic.
“The economic benefits of recapturing Ghouta are colossal,” says Mustafa Al Sayed, an economic journalist, told Gulf News, adding that he expects to see a surge in religious tourism and entertainment there.