Syria: An Economic Survey 



A large polytechnical school,, built in Haifa by Jews, has not 

 yet been opened because of the outbreak of the war. It is to consist 

 of six preparatory grades and complete courses in architecture, 

 engineering, chemistry, etc. 



V. Trade Taxes. 



The trade tax of 1914 is either a fixed tax on the net profit or 

 else it depends on the rent and the amount of wages paid by the 

 tax-payer. All transportation companies pay a fixed tax of 5 per 

 cent; fire and transportation insurance companies pay 3 per cent 

 of their annual premia besides a fixed supplementary tax of 150- 

 1,000 piastres. Life insurance companies pay .03 per cent annually 

 of the newly insured capital. All employees with a fixed salary 

 are assessed 3 per cent. 



The following are assessed according to the rent paid for their 

 business offices: 



Bankers 20% 



Merchants, commission merchants 

 Wholesale dealers 

 Eetail dealers 



Eetail dealers in foodstuffs 8% 



Artisans 8% 



Millers, factory-owners, printers 5% 



Men engaged in certain occupations, for instance bankers, pay 

 10 per cent on the rent of their homes. Tax-payers must also pay a 

 supplementary tax in proportion to the number of their employees. 

 There are special regulations regarding livery-men, peddlers, etc. 

 Other occupations are assessed according to a fixed rate, ranging 

 from 15-300 piastres. 



VI. Measures for the Promotion of Industry. 



Since 1913 the government has furthered new industrial enter- 

 prises having 



(a) Motive power of at least 5 H. P., 



(b) at least 1,000 Itq. invested in land, buildings, and 

 machinery, 



(c) a sufficient number of employees to do at least 750 

 days work annually, 



(d) none but Ottoman employees or laborers (excepting 

 technicians), 



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