“Lattakia Summer Shopping” Festival opens with the participation of 60 national Industrial companies

“Holding important economic activities is a key opportunity to support the Syrian national economy and to stress  that the Syrian industry is recovering despite the coercive economic blockade imposed on the Syrian people” ,   Mr. Maher Muhammad the director of   “Lattakia  Summer Shopping” festival said in a statement to the Syriatimes e-newspaper . 

The  economic event   is organized by Lattakia Governorate in cooperation with the Syrian Branch for Trade  and   Lattakia’s Directorate  of Tourism  at the Panorama park in the governorate . 

Mr. Muhammad, who is Director of Ashtar Establishmen for organizing Exhibitions,  pointed out that 60  national industrial companies from various food, textile, chemical and engineering sectors are taking part in the month-long  festival .  

He said  that “the festival exhibits a wide range of local industries and hand- made products  including food industries , cosmetics,  all kinds of detergents ,  tissues, clothes , perfumes and textiles. 

The festival director indicated to  the wide participation of the private industrial sector side by side with the public establishments, stressing that the festival allowed direct communication between producers and consumers , adding  that discounts  range between 20-60 % on some products. 

He noted the Ministry of Industry’s  support to industrialists through providing them with all necessary requirements in order to continue work and production, adding that the discounts help manufacturers increase their sales volume on one hand and enable low-income citizens to buy what they need in the light of the difficult economic circumstances on the other hand. 

Mr. Muhammad  confirmed that  such economic  events play a key role  in promoting national Syrian companies, thereby defying the unjust blockade and coercive embargo imposed on Syria.  

On his part,  Member of the Executive Office for Internal and Industrial Trade Affairs Ali Yousef said the festival was launched in agreement with commercial companies  within the framework of the government’s plan to achieve positive intervention to support citizens and achieve the  required benefit of holding such activities. 

Amany  Yousef, Alaa Ali  who are representatives of some companies participating in the festival, said the festival  is witnessing a remarkable turnout  that reflects the importance of this event to reactivate the economic and social movement as well as  promoting the Syrian goods . 

They stressed that the Syrian government’s perpetual support for national industry has encouraged them to find new channels and means to promote and market their products, with festivals being one of these means.  

They  pointed out that the Syrian industry has been able to prove its presence and brilliance as a competitor in the markets of neighboring countries in terms of quality and competitive price.  

In turn, Ali Ismail, the  marketing representative for the “Laamar Rose”  Company for Natural and Medicinal Herbs, told Syriatimes “ shopping festivals have become increasingly important in recent years , not only as sales drivers but also for brands boost consumers awareness and engagement as they have a path to long term growth”. 

He stressed that holding  shopping festivals is of great  importance in meeting the needs of citizens at acceptable prices and introducing  Syrian heritage products, especially during the tourism season. 

 “The ancient Arab medicine was based on natural herbs. We seek through our company’s products to revive medical heritage and  raise awareness about the importance of using medicinal  herbs in treating diseases and manufacturing new  varieties of  them  with modern techniques ” Ismail said. 

He pointed out that the  “ Laamar Rose”  company is the first company in Syria to import  the famous  Chinese “Matcha”  green tea , which is a general tonic for the body and contains many vitamins. 

Visitors of the festival expressed their admiration over the festival in terms of  quality  and different kinds of products offered at suitable prices to meet citizens’ needs. 

Interviewed by : Rawaa Ghanam 

Photos by Rawaa Ghanam