Economy and Foreign Trade Minister Khedr Orfali said that the Damascus Fairgrounds is being prepared to host any upcoming economic event such as expos, and that this will show that Syria is still standing strong despite challenges, difficulties, and unjust sanctions.

During a tour of the Fairgrounds, which are located on the road to Damascus International Airport and occupying an overall area of 1.2 million square meters, Orfali said that the Fairgrounds provided facilitations to industrialists and businessmen, providing them with locations following their own facilities’ exposure to terrorist attacks. 

He said that the General Establishments of International Fairs and Markets is an important source of income for national economy, providing over SYP 1 billion during the first half of 2014 despite the crisis, with indicators suggesting that its earnings will increase during the second half.

The Fairgrounds currently host 51 commercial, industrial, and services companies and warehouses for businesses whose facilities were vandalized. Prior to the crisis, the Fairgrounds hosted around 59-61 fairs and expos each year, including Damascus International Fair.