After years of war, destruction, and political fragmentation, Damascus is reopening its doors to the world through one of the region’s oldest and most prestigious exhibitions: the Damascus International Fair. The 62nd edition launched on 27 August 2025 and runs through 5 September 2025 at the Exhibition City in Rif Dimashq. The event is more than a commercial and economic gathering; it is a political and cultural signal that Syria has entered a new phase — one marked by openness, reconstruction, and a break from isolation.
The fair’s organizers adopted the slogan “Syria Welcomes the World,” and that slogan was reflected in the participation of more than 850 companies from around 22 Arab and foreign countries. Saudi Arabia attended as Guest of Honor, presenting a large national pavilion that hosts over 80 Saudi companies and economic and investment entities.
Founded in 1954, the Damascus International Fair long served as Syria’s economic and cultural showcase. It disappeared for many years amid the war and the isolation imposed by the previous regime and international sanctions. The fair’s return at this scale — following the fall of the Assad regime and the start of a political transition — signals a qualitative shift in Syria’s landscape and sends a message at home and abroad: the country aims to reinsert itself into the regional and international economic map.
At the opening ceremony, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa described the fair as “Syria’s window to the world and the world’s gateway to Syria — a platform to launch reconstruction and investment projects the country has long awaited.”
The strong Saudi and Gulf presence reflects clear interest in investing in Syria. Saudi economic reports announced a potential investment package exceeding USD 6 billion across energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and real estate — investments framed to support reconstruction and Syria’s reintegration with the Arab neighborhood.
Dr. Mohammad Al-Jabri, an economist at the Gulf Research Center, interpreted Saudi participation at this level as “the beginning of an economic repositioning in Syria; Riyadh sees reconstruction as a huge investment opportunity as well as a strategic tool to rebalance the Levant.”
Beyond Saudi Arabia, official and commercial delegations attended from countries including Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and South Africa, alongside European companies from Belgium, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Such diversity communicates that Syria is no longer confined to political or economic isolation; it is gradually re-entering global markets.
The presence of more than 850 companies and foreign commercial delegations implies potential supply contracts and employment for tens of thousands of Syrians. Local industries — notably textiles, food manufacturing, and agricultural technology — gained opportunities to market products and sign export agreements, while also exchanging know-how and improving quality standards.
Dr. Hazem Alabdallah, economics professor at the Free Damascus University, emphasized that “the fair is not merely symbolic; it is a practical opportunity to reintegrate thousands of small workshops and factories into the economic cycle. Even a modest export contract can affect hundreds of Syrian households that have endured prolonged stagnation.”
A major aspect of the fair is that it creates an economic breach in the wall of sanctions. The participation of Gulf and other foreign companies sends a practical signal that Damascus is no longer an entirely closed market for investment. It has become an attractive market for companies and investment funds — especially where international political support exists for returning Syria to its international role and contributing to reconstruction.
Economist Dr. Issam Barakat explained that “the fair provides political cover for companies seeking entry into the Syrian market. Open participation from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan creates a new regional environment that will push toward gradual easing or lifting of sanctions that currently hinder investment flows.” (Interview with Al Arabiya Business, August 2025.)
Saudi and Jordanian participation emphasized projects for rehabilitating power plants, deploying renewable energy facilities (solar and wind), and rebuilding water and wastewater networks.
Gulf, Turkish, and European investors presented plans for modern residential complexes in Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs — part of a broader strategy to rehouse displaced populations.
Agreements with Jordanian and Pakistani firms focused on modern irrigation technologies, seed development, and agricultural machinery — signaling a priority to revive rural Syria as a foundation for economic stability.
Delegations from Turkey and Qatar showcased electronic payment systems and smart communications solutions. Large international firms such as Nokia, plus regional telecom operators like Zain and Atheeb Telecommunications, signaled commitments to develop Syria’s digital infrastructure and support a broader digital transformation.
The slogan was deliberate: it signals the end of a period of closure and the start of openness and regional integration. For many Syrians who lived through severe economic isolation, seeing companies from the Gulf, Europe, and Asia return to Damascus offers a tangible sign of change.
Politically, the slogan communicates that Syria is rejoining regional and international activity rather than remaining isolated.
Major Arab media outlets covered the event as a “strong return of Syria to the economic stage,” while Gulf papers — notably Al-Eqtisadiah — highlighted the scale of Saudi participation as an indicator of a new chapter in relations with Damascus.
Western analysts remained cautious, noting that “there is still a long road before political enthusiasm turns into concrete investment.” Nevertheless, the sheer scale of the fair was widely regarded as an achievement.
Despite the positive atmosphere, experts point to several key obstacles:
1. Converting memorandums of understanding into binding contracts, especially amid financing difficulties and international banking constraints.
2. Reforming the legislative and administrative environment to protect investors and ensure transparency.
3. Rehabilitating logistical infrastructure (ports, roads, and airports) to match investment ambitions.
Dr. Laila Haddad, an economist at the Brookings Institution, observed: “Real success is not measured by the number of pavilions or the size of delegations, but by the new Syrian government’s ability to attract high-quality investments and anchor them on the ground.”
The Damascus International Fair 2025 is not merely a seasonal economic event; it marks an indicator of a new chapter in Syria’s history — a period of reconstruction and rapprochement with the Arab world and beyond. Saudi Arabia’s role as Guest of Honor provided momentum and sent a clear message that Damascus is reconnecting with the region.
The greater challenge remains ensuring sustainability: converting symbolic presence into tangible projects that reopen factories, rebuild cities, and create jobs for Syrian youth. As one Jordanian businessman participating in the fair put it: “We are not here just to buy or sell; we are here to open a new page of economic relations with a brotherly people who deserve to live anew.”
