SYRIAN President Ahmed al-Sharaa, announced the opening of the 62nd Damascus International Fair, scheduled for 2025, under the theme “Syria Welcomes the World.” The event will be held at the Damascus International Fairgrounds on Wednesday evening, August 27, in the presence of representatives from approximately 20 Arab and foreign countries.

In his speech at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, which Enab Baladi attended, Al-Sharaa said, “Today’s meeting, in the oldest inhabited capital in history, aims to revive a facet of the history of the Levant and to open a new page entitled the Damascus Exhibition.”

He added that the new Syria has made security stability and economic development its top priorities, and that it has developed plans to increase agricultural and industrial production rates and plan for the return of displaced persons and refugees.

“The Levant is famous for its historical industries, including metals, textiles, food, and tourism. It was a strategic center for trade and industrial investment for several countries, and its industrial products reached all countries,” President al-Sharaa said.

The opening included artistic performances, including theatrical performances, patriotic songs, and dance troupes. The ceremony was hosted by the Director of the General Cinema Organization, Jihad Abdo.

The 62nd Damascus International Fair is the first since the fall of the Assad regime, following a six-year hiatus.

Reliable economic partner

Director General of the General Organization for International Fairs and Exhibitions, Mohammed Hamza, said in his opening remarks that Syria, through the Damascus International Fair, is turning a new page in its relations with the world.

He added, “Syria presents itself as a reliable economic partner for all countries.”

The number of participating countries in this year’s exhibition exceeded 20: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Sudan, Belgium, South Africa, Algeria, Libya, Pakistan, Palestine, Abkhazia, Indonesia, Macedonia, the Philippines, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the European Chamber of Commerce.

The number of foreign companies reached 225, while the number of Arab and local companies reached approximately 725, in an exhibition area of ​​95,000 square meters.

Forming investment funds

For his part, Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Investment, Abdullah Al-Dubaikhi, said that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the exhibition complements the economic agreements it previously signed with Syria worth 24 billion Saudi riyals.

He stressed that the coming period will witness the signing of new agreements and memoranda of understanding in many sectors, most notably energy.

He noted that work is underway to establish working groups within Syria to assist Saudi investors, facilitate their work, and facilitate transfers by forming investment funds.

He explained that the Saudi companies participating in the exhibition covered a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, health, energy, food, logistics, and financial services.

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat revealed that Turkish participation occupies approximately 1,000 square meters at the exhibition, with the participation of more than 500 Turkish businessmen.

More than a million people

In 1954, during the reign of former Syrian President Hashim al-Atassi, the Damascus International Fair was held for the first time. This event was a unique event in the Arab region, and it was considered the largest exhibition in the Middle East, with its diverse activities and the attendance of senior Syrian politicians at its opening .

The exhibition was originally scheduled to be held every five years, but its resounding success in its first edition, with the number of visitors exceeding one million, according to the official website of the General Organization for International Fairs and Exhibitions, prompted the Syrian government at the time to hold it annually.

In 1955, former Syrian President Shukri al-Quwatli issued a presidential decree establishing the “General Directorate of the Damascus International Fair” to develop, manage, and hold the fair annually in the area extending from Umayyad Square to Victoria Bridge in the heart of the capital