From Dairy to Textiles: Baladna and Gürmen Study a Textile Plant in Syria
An MoU signed in Doha opens the door to a potential joint venture in Syria's textile sector, starting with a feasibility study and a joint business plan before any construction decision.
An MoU signed in Doha opens the door to a potential joint venture in Syria’s textile sector, starting with a feasibility study and a joint business plan before any construction decision.
Monday, 9 November 2026 — Reading time: 3 minutes
Prepared by: Construction and Investment Prime (CIP)
Qatari company Baladna and Turkish textiles group Gürmen signed a memorandum of understanding in Doha on Monday to explore developing, building and operating a textile manufacturing facility in Syria. Under the MoU, the two sides will carry out a feasibility study for building and operating the plant within a potential joint venture, and draw up a joint business plan to assess its commercial viability and set out its implementation requirements.
The MoU aims to support the development of the local textile industry, encourage the transfer of knowledge and expertise, create jobs and strengthen manufacturing capacity in Syria. It is a framework for cooperation, not a construction agreement: no investment value, production capacity, location or timetable for the proposed plant has been disclosed.
The MoU was signed by Ramez Al-Khayyat, president of Baladna, and Remzi Gür, chairman of the board of Gürmen Group.
Baladna Group chief executive Marek Warzywoda said the cooperation with Gürmen reflects the company’s commitment to exploring investments that support Syria’s economic recovery and the development of its productive sectors, and that the textile sector holds promising potential through partnerships combining international industrial expertise with local capabilities — helping build sustainable industries that create jobs, strengthen local production and raise the competitiveness of Syrian products in regional and international markets.
Yasemin Gür Solmaz, chairwoman of Gürmen Group, said Syria has a deep history in textiles and a base of qualified industrial expertise, and that the group aims, through its cooperation with Baladna, to explore a modern industrial facility drawing on its experience in production, technology and international markets.
The MoU comes as part of Baladna’s investment strategy in Syria, where the company continues to develop an integrated project comprising a dairy farm and a dairy factory, alongside strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening local production and supporting food security. The company is also working with the International Finance Corporation to study opportunities to develop the dairy sector and expand the participation of local farmers and livestock breeders in production and value chains.
Gürmen Group was founded in Türkiye in 1985. It is a prominent business group active in textiles, fashion and retail, with wide experience in garment manufacturing, industrial operations and international markets.
- The parties: Baladna Q.P.S.C. of Qatar and Gürmen Group of Türkiye (textiles).
- The subject: an MoU to explore developing, building and operating a textile factory in Syria.
- Signed by: Ramez Al-Khayyat (Baladna president) and Remzi Gür (Gürmen board chairman) — Doha, Monday 9 November 2026.
- Next steps: feasibility study for a potential joint venture + joint business plan to assess commercial viability and implementation requirements.
- Not disclosed: investment value, production capacity, location, timetable.
- Background: Gürmen founded in 1985; Baladna is developing an integrated dairy project in Syria and cooperating with the IFC on the dairy sector.