Damascus International Fair Highlights Local Industrial Growth
The 63rd edition of the Damascus International Fair serves as a critical economic platform for highlighting Syria’s growing manufacturing sector. A primary focus of this year’s event is the food processing industry, which has demonstrated high efficiency by leveraging locally sourced raw materials and inputs. These industries play a significant role in increasing the value-added potential of Syrian agricultural produce, directly enhancing the quality and competitiveness of finished goods in both domestic and international markets.
The fair provides an exceptional opportunity for Syrian companies to present their products to business leaders, traders, and importers. This engagement is instrumental in establishing new marketing channels and strengthening local value chains. Issam Khaled Al-Aish, Director of Foreign Sales and Export for a major canning company, emphasized that the Syrian food industry has successfully capitalized on the richness of the country’s land. By transforming fruits and vegetables into high-quality products with a shelf life of up to 24 months, these goods have become highly viable for export to global markets.
Firas Aziz, a sales manager for a food snacks company, highlighted that processing agricultural crops, such as potatoes, supports the national product and creates substantial employment opportunities. He noted that these products have successfully entered markets in Europe and the Gulf, illustrating a successful integration between the agricultural and industrial sectors that bolsters local supply chains.
In the dairy and cheese sector, Ahmed Abu Zeid, a financial manager, explained that production relies on fresh, locally collected milk. The industry utilizes modern processing and pasteurization technologies that adhere to international standards for quality and food safety, thereby strengthening the competitive position of domestic goods.
Production manager Wael Suleiman, representing a juice manufacturing company, described the processing of citrus, apples, pomegranates, and grapes as a successful model for the sector. He explained that these manufacturing processes help utilize seasonal agricultural output and reduce food waste. Suleiman pointed out that the use of modern packaging techniques and cold chain logistics ensures the preservation of nutritional value, enabling Syrian products to substitute imports and increase export volumes.
The 63rd Damascus International Fair is currently underway at the Damascus Fairgrounds and will continue until September 4. The event has seen high attendance and intense participation from local, Arab, and foreign companies, underscoring its importance as a vital link in the strategy to support the national economy and stimulate industrial production.
