Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the opening of the 62nd Damascus International Fair for 2025 under the theme “Syria Welcomes the World,” on Wednesday evening, August 27, at the exhibition grounds in the Damascus countryside. The event was attended by representatives of about 20 Arab and foreign countries.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, which Enab Baladi attended, al-Sharaa said, “Today we gather in the oldest continuously inhabited capital in history to revive one of the faces of the Levant’s heritage and to open a new chapter entitled Damascus Fair.”
He added that the new Syria has prioritized security stability and economic development, setting plans to increase agricultural and industrial production while preparing for the return of displaced persons and refugees.
“The Levant has long been renowned for its historic industries—from metalwork and textiles to food and tourism—making it a strategic hub for trade and industrial investment for many countries, with its products reaching across the region,” al-Sharaa said.
The opening ceremony included artistic performances featuring plays, patriotic songs, and dance groups. The event was presented by Jihad Abdo, director of the General Organization for Cinema.
This 62nd edition marks the first Damascus International Fair since the fall of the Assad regime, following a six-year hiatus.
Trusted economic partner
Mohammed Hamza, director-general of the General Organization for Exhibitions and International Markets, said during the opening that Syria, through the Damascus International Fair, is turning a new page in its relations with the world.
He added, “Syria presents itself today as a trusted economic partner for all countries.”
More than 20 countries are participating this year, including 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 fair hosts 225 foreign companies alongside about 725 Arab and local companies, spread across 95,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Investment funds in the works
Saudi Deputy Minister of Investment Abdullah al-Dubaikhi said that Saudi Arabia’s participation builds on previous economic agreements signed with Syria worth 24 billion Saudi riyals.
He confirmed that the coming period will see new agreements and memoranda of understanding, particularly in the energy sector.
He added that work is underway to establish task forces inside Syria to support Saudi investors, facilitate their operations, and create investment funds to ease financial transfers.
Al-Dubaikhi noted that Saudi companies represented sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, energy, food industries, and logistical and financial services.
Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said Turkey’s participation covers about 1,000 square meters of the fairgrounds, with contributions from more than 500 Turkish businesspeople.
A legacy of over a million visitors
The Damascus International Fair was first held in 1954 under former Syrian president Hashim al-Atassi, marking a unique event in the Arab world as the largest fair in the Middle East, with diverse activities and the presence of senior Syrian officials at the opening.
Initially scheduled to take place every five years, the fair’s great success in its inaugural edition—and attendance of more than one million visitors, according to the official website of the General Organization for Exhibitions—prompted the Syrian government to make it an annual event.
In 1955, then-president Shukri al-Quwatli issued a republican decree establishing the General Directorate of the Damascus International Fair to manage, develop, and organize the event annually, stretching from Umayyad Square to Victoria Bridge in the heart of the capital.
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