The Military Construction Establishment (MCE) was founded in 1972 as the first state-run construction company to be established after former President Hafez Al-Assad took power. The firm, also known as the Military Construction Implementation Corporation

(MCIC)—or Mataa in Arabic—is the main contractor for the General Housing Establishment, a state-owned civilian institution. It has carried out housing projects for Syrian soldiers and their children around the country for decades, and has also expanded into civilian housing projects sold at cost. The firm benefits from a number of exemptions, including the ability to directly import machinery, equipment and goods for its operations. Its imports are also exempted from all fees and taxes. The general manager of the MCE is currently Major-General Riyad Shalish, first cousin of President Bashar Al-Assad and brother of Zulhima Shalish, the chief of presidential security.