Syrian-led textile manufacturer expands in Jordan by employing refugees and women

When the Syrian crisis erupted in 2011, Issam resided in Darayya, a suburb of Damascus in Syria. In response to the escalating situation, he and his family were obliged to seek refuge in Jordan. “Becoming a refugee in a new community was an unimaginable experience,” said Issam. Fortunately, they were familiar with the language and culture of the region, which eased their transition into the new environment.

A few months after arriving in Amman, Issam knew that he needed to provide for his wife and children as well as keep himself busy, so he returned to his profession as a tailor. “Rather than sit without a job and dwell on my lost home, I found it useful to roll my sleeves up and get to work in the profession I knew best,” he says.

Issam scraped together all of his savings and borrowed money from friends and relatives. Put together, he had enough funds to open his own small sewing factory in Downtown Amman called Al-Hour Al-Eeen Factory. Starting with just three sewing machines, Issam’s vision was to not only establish a business but also to contribute to the broader community by employing three Syrian refugees.

Within a short span of time, Issam had attracted numerous customers and forged valuable connections with traders, due to the remarkable quality and pricing of his products. In 2016, as demand surged, he made a pivotal choice to expand his factory operations. The workforce grew from three employees to a team of twelve, and his goals extended to include women’s employability and empowerment, by offering flexible working hours for Syrian refugee women.

With technical support from SPARK, through its partner International Group For Training (IGIT), under the Skills Training Education Programme (STEP), financed by The Islamic Development Bank and Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Foundation, Issam underwent comprehensive training in various fields. He participated in courses covering accounting, strategic planning, social media marketing, and financing.

Equipped with this newfound knowledge, Issam expanded his business significantly. Currently, he employs over 25 workers to manage the machines, with an additional five employees working in administration and six staff members at the showrooms. After a decade of dedication to his company, the total number of employees has now reached 35.

Contrary to the common misconception that Jordan is not an industrial country, Issam believes that the manufacturing sector in Jordan is promising. “When I began my journey from scratch in Jordan, I quickly realised the country’s potential as an industrial hub,” declares Issam. “In Jordan, one can readily access raw materials, and there are well-established regulations in place. Moreover, the availability of uninterrupted electricity for 24 hours a day fosters a conducive business environment,” Issam explains. He also points out the crucial roles played by the Jordanian Chamber of Industry and the Chamber of Commerce in providing vital support to his business.

After 10 years of kick-starting his business, having learned many lessons and received invaluable technical support through SPARK’s programme, Issam is planning to expand beyond Amman and establish factories in development zones, such as Irbid.

Al-Hour Al-Eeen Factory has one clear mission: to become a factory employing at least 100 individuals, with women comprising at  least 70% of the workforce. Finally, Issam’s  ultimate goal is to transform the factory into an export-oriented enterprise, proudly showcasing Jordan’s productivity on the global stage.