Iran Khodro resumes car production in Syria

Iran has returned a car assembly line in Syria to production, which makes an affordable model named the Sham.

The joint venture to produce the Sham - a mid-range family saloon based on Iran Khodro's Samand car - started before the outbreak of the war in Syria in 2011.

The war seriously damaged many car plants in Syria, putting a temporary damper on the two allies’ plans to bring their economies closer together.

Other than the Sham, Iran Khodro used to assemble Peugeot cars in Syria, while Saipa – the second largest Iranian car manufacturer – produced its own models.

“Although car factories in Syria suffered damage, we tried to return them to the production line after the war,” Iran’s Labor, Cooperatives and Social Affairs Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari said on Tuesday.

“Our efforts are to help the car industry continue (its life) in Syria. Currently, the production line of the Sham is back up and running,” he added.

Shariatmadari made the remarks after signing a memorandum of understanding with his Syria counterpart Rima al-Qadiri in Tehran.

Under the five-year agreement, Syria will be able to use Iranian experts in the country’s reconstruction and provided with technical and professional education help.

“Cooperation between Iran and Syria in the field of labor force and economy will maximize in the future,” Shariatmadari said, hailing the document as “valuable”.

SS