The Syrian economy has started recovering as many factories resumed production in a number of sectors, a government official said on Monday.

The remarks came amid major headways by government forces against rebel fighters as the Syrian crisis entered the fourth year.

Hammam al-Jazaery, who heads a government institution in charge of planning and international cooperation, told the Syrian Economic Steps, an online publication, that the return of some producers and entrepreneurs to the country is a good indicator of economic recovery.

He said that special focus should be given to the textile and foodstuff sectors because export of their products can help replenish the country's foreign exchange reserves following the draining of the energy sector's revenues.

The country's oil production dropped from 380,000 barrels a day three years ago to only 14,000 barrels by now.

Tourism, another main lifeline for the Syrian economy, has all but stopped.

Al-Jazaery called for strengthening of the export sector but warned against expanding import, especially of materials that can be produced locally.

Also on Monday, Syrian Minister of Electricity Imad Khamis said the country has succeeded in maintaining its institutional, functional and human coherence.

In an article published in the state-owned al-Baath newspaper, Khamis said the government is still paying salaries of more than two million civil servants worth around 390 billion pounds (about 25 million U.S dollars), in addition to 80 billion pounds (about 5.3 million dollars) in pension for retirees.