(Eqtsad)- Sally al-Shihabi, who arrived in France three years ago, continues her hardworking routine of waking up at six in the morning to open in her newly constructed workshop. This shop is meant to carry the Damascene craft in the embroidery of dresses, in a country packed with an industrial production that works at the speed of light, a country where Chinese goods, similar in style to her products, invade its streets and the tastes of its consumers.
Al-Shihabi's project stands on her persistence and desire for success as well as on a small capital which consists of her savings. Her project is finally registered as a French enterprise after a long and arduous bureaucratic journey of bringing the right papers and carrying the right procedures. She opens her workshop every morning decorating it with different designs and thread styles betting that someone will come her way who is looking for the best and most distinguished products.
Al-Shihabi only differs from her fellow immigrants by the quality of her project. Syrians who arrived years ago, have all launched projects that were very similar consisting mainly of small farms spread throughout Britain, especially in cities and towns with low incomes. They are similarly and equally divided and restricted areas that are sponsored by the municipalities and leased to the residents, especially for those with limited incomes and families that do not own private gardens adjacent to their homes.
The accumulation experience that the people of southern Daraa province seemed to provide them with an opportunity to invest in vegetable farms and some other crops, especially with the abundant presence of water, and with the privilege of relying on their labor force and families, and on the encouragement of the municipalities that support such actions.
In her project on dresses and design, Sally claims: "Originally, I was a designer in Damascus and studied this specialty, but, coming here, I realized that I needed a relatively long time, and that I'm still at the threshold; My success depends on overlapping factors starting from the region I live in, and the level of income there, reaching the absence of any kind of support, be it in advertisement and promotion or even as an official support. However difficult the situation is, I intend to go forward with my project as a starting business potential and a future vision that I hope will be accomplished. After all, leaving our country also means that we have to start from scratch. "
No Support
There are no statistics in any country indicating the number of Syrian projects completed or under completion, as the entrepreneurial identity is always based on the host country, for example, all Syrian projects are considered German or French project, but the irony is that these emerging projects are deprived of the financial support of these host countries. There are soft loans to support some projects, they are, however, not compatible with the inconsistency in Syrians' residency permits that alternate between Short and Long term, awaiting the deliverance of having ‘the nationality’. This fact constitutes one of the continuous obstacles facing any project aspiring to enter a serious competition and to assert a certain leadership. According to some, the idea of borrowing loans is possible in some cases, but in the case of Syrians, it is not desirable for fear of its future repercussions especially if you take into account the instability of the newly emerging projects.
“I haven’t even considered loans when I started my workshop for fear of being drowned in further details and complicated procedures. I relied on buying used machines and buying in installments, increasing my working hours and attendance, family is also considered one of my main investors. I think that I might consider loans in the future after giving my project the trial run of 3 years that I have already set.” says Sally Shihabi, owner of the Syrian Dresses Workshop.
Trying to bypass the problem of lack of financial aid, Syrians resorted to pooling their personal savings through family or personal partnerships and then appointing those they deem appropriate to arrange matters, and in some cases, they use a person with legal qualifications.
Lawyer Mohamed Abu Saifan says: "We worked to collect the savings of about ten Syrians, and we established a limited liability joint-stock company and decided that none of us should withdraw until after the founding period, so that the project could stand on a firm ground. Today we have managed to have an integrated oven that produces bread and sweets. It’s true that today we are facing a lot of difficulties and challenges, but we are working on overcoming them as a united and solid family. I is our only choice anyway; cooperation and lending a helping hand to a fellow Syrian is at the heart of success in the diaspora.”
In Germany, where the largest proportion of the displaced Syrians go, a large number of them are attracted by business, trade and they resort to opening more restaurants and clothing stores. In the ‘Arab Street’ as the immigrants of Berlin call it, there are dozens of Syrian restaurants and shops, which have begun to make their presence known and attract Arab as well as some German visitors. These shops may not have the finest trims and the best decorations, but their competition is on the level of the quality of the product and also its price.
Today, Wael and his brothers own a large restaurant in the German city of Hamburg, which he calls "Syriana". Wael and his family arrived in Germany years ago due to the systematic expulsion of the Assad regime and its allies.
Wael says: “As soon as I could speak a little German, I informed the employee in charge of my labor office, of my
intention to open a restaurant, and to cancel my share of the government’s monthly aid. I did not apply for loans from German banks and I don’t know if they are granting loans or not but with the help of my family, I succeeded in fulfilling the needs of the project; our hopes for its success are ever growing.”
Aware of the reality of business projects surrounding him, the journalist Abbas Al-Dairi who resides in the German city of Hamburg answers: "constructing small projects in Germany, particularly northern Germany in the city of Hamburg, is considered to be the main concern of the Syrian refugees for the last two years. More than two-thirds of Syrians are looking to be self-employed for many reasons, first, it is impossible for Syrians to work using their educational qualifications. The law graduate here in Germany cannot be a lawyer, not even a teacher is able to practice teaching here in German schools.
He adds: "I think that Syrians are often directed to the labor market but because of its difficulty, the best destination is small projects. We must always remember that the Syrian is known to be constructive and productive, and is able to adapt and integrate, not to mention the good repercussions of Private work."
Concerning the support provided by the German government, Al-Diri notes: "The state provides aid for small projects, and supports everyone who wants to work, but this support certainly does not cover all costs.
Subsequently, the Syrians find themselves obligated to resort to selling whatever properties they have left in Syria, and sometimes rely on family partnerships, or friends."
Al-Dairi draws attention to the obstacles of getting loans and the reluctance of Syrians to partaking in this process: “borrowing loans happens according to certain conditions, sometimes complicated and difficult conditions.
Syrians want to avoid falling into the trap of bureaucracy. Any governmental procedure might take months, knowing that there is always a possibility of loans being denied. Taking all of this into consideration, Syrians prefer to stay away from loans”.
By Mohamed al-Oweiyed
EQTSAD
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