Syrian president opens 1st Damascus International Fair since Assad's ouster

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa inaugurated the 62nd Damascus International Fair on Wednesday at the capital’s Exhibition Hall, marking the first edition since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.

In his opening speech, Sharaa emphasized Damascus’s historic role as a commercial hub linking East and West, highlighting the city’s longstanding industries, from metals and textiles to food production and tourism, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

“Damascus has always been a strategic center for trade and industrial investment, with products reaching all corners of the world,” he said.

The president reflected on Syria’s recent past under the former regime, noting how policies of repression, corruption, and isolation drove away investment, talent, and production.

He portrayed the current period as a “new Syria,” prioritizing security, economic development, the return of displaced citizens, and improved public services.

Sharaa also underscored efforts to restore diplomatic relations with the world and lift restrictive sanctions, enabling returning refugees to contribute knowledge and expertise to the country’s revival.

“Today, we gather to honor a facet of our rich historical and economic heritage and open a bright new chapter under the banner of the Damascus Fair,” he concluded.

The fair, which runs until Sept. 5, features participation from around 850 local and international companies representing 22 countries, including Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. The fair includes sectors such as food, technology, construction, chemicals, art, and culture.

Since the fall of Assad’s regime in late 2024, Syria’s new administration has been implementing economic and political reforms while making intensive efforts to launch and strengthen cooperation with multiple countries.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Ba'ath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new transitional administration led by President Sharaa was formed in January.