Iran top participant at Damascus Int'l Fair

As the 60th Damascus International Fair kicks off in Syria, Iran has indicated it is determined to consolidate its place as the top foreign contributor at this year's event by sending 52 companies - higher than any other participating country. 

Iran has sent many of its "major" companies to the Fair, according to Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh, the director of Iran's Pavilion.  

"Automobile industry, household appliances, food industries, construction material, agricultural services, animal husbandry and mining development industries are among the most important Iranian industries that have participated," said Khanzadeh, as quoted by Iran's IRNA news agency.

"We have tried to bring our most active companies as well as our best products."

The event was inaugurated on Thursday night and would close on September 15. Companies from 48 foreign countries as well as about 1,700 Syrian businesses have participated. 

Russia - the next biggest participant - has sent 38 companies to the Fair, according to Sputnik.

The Damascus Fair is one of the region's largest and oldest international economic exhibitions. Held annually since 1954, it was halted from 2012 due to the war in Syria. It re-opened in 2017 after relative stability returned to the country. 

As top participants, Iranian and Russian pavilions have occupied around 450 square meters each, dominating the event. Other top participants such as India and Iraq have been given 267 and 100 square-meter pavilions, relative to their number of participating companies.

The increased participation of Iranian businesses this year comes as Iranian economic investors seek to find economic opportunities in various fields of Syria, according to media reports.

PressTV-Iran pledges to contribute to Syria reconstruction

The Iranian first vice president says Iran will stand by Syria in the reconstruction plans of the war-stricken country.

Syria has for long been preparing for the event, inviting various foreign parties and diplomatic envoys, renovating the site and setting up appropriate transportation venues for the Syrian public to attend.

The Fair is an indication of Syria's resolve in overcoming the economic fallout of more than eight years of war imposed on the country, according to Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis.

“As it has won its war against terrorism, Syria will gain victory in the war of reconstruction and building to become a state that could be difficult to ignore at international and regional circles” Khamis said at the inauguration ceremony on Thursday. 

Palestine, Belarus, Pakistan, Yemen, Indonesia, South Africa, China, Bulgaria, Czech, Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea (DPRK) are among other officially participating countries.

This is while countries such as Italy, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, UK, Netherlands, and Singapore have participated via individual agents and companies.

The Damascus Fair - together with the efforts by the Syrian government to expand economic ties with other countries - is regarded as a key part of plans by President Bashar Assad for rebuilding the country - what he has already described as his “top priority”. President Assad has also stressed that the West "won't be part of reconstruction in Syria, because very simply we won't allow them to be part of it, whether they come with money or not." 

Iran and Syria have already taken measures to enhance their economic cooperation over a large number of fields. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this year to boost economic cooperation.
 

PressTV-Iran team in Syria for 'transformation' in post-war ties

An Iranian delegation has traveled to Syria to pave the way for a post-war "transformation" in their economic ties, Iran's official IRNA news agency reports. 

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