Damascus International Fair Stresses the Syrians’ Determination to Rebuild New Syria
Yesterday was a special day for Syria as it witnessed the opening of the 61st Damascus International Fair amid plenty of challenges, mainly the continuous battle against terrorism, the coercive economic measures imposed on the Syrians and the recent US threats.
Under the slogan “From Damascus to the World,” the fair kicked off its activities under the patronage of President Bashar Al-Assad with the participation of 38 Arab and foreign countries, sending a message to the entire world that Syria is proceeding towards victory over terrorism as well as in the economic battle.
“The war, Syria has been facing, is not only a military and political one, because a major part of this war was economical based on vandalizing, destroying and looting Syria’s economic facilities and on imposing unfair economic sanctions on the country, sanctions that amount to crimes against humanity ,” Prime Minister Imad Khamis said during the opening ceremony.
He pointed out that Syria withstood the foreign-backed aggression on its resources and civilization thanks to the Syrian Arab army’s sacrifices and victories that liberated most of Syria from terrorism and because many honest and sincere Syrians with skills and distinguished capabilities opted to stay in the country.
Khamis also said that Syria welcomes every initiative for economic and investment cooperation, be it bilateral or multilateral , particularly as it is preparing for reconstruction with great investment opportunities, supported by intensified governmental efforts.
Damascus International Fair this year has a special importance as it comes while the Syrian Arab army is achieving great victories, most recent of which is the liberation of the northern countryside of Hama, Information Minister Emad Sara told Syriatimes e-newspaper.
According to Sara, the fair is not only an economic activity, it has a social, cultural and touristic nature and it even has a political nature because of the US attempts to disrupt the fair through threatening to sanction the companies and businessmen who participate in the this event.
“We condemn this US behavior because it contradicts all international laws and conventions as well as all international resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution, No. 2254, said the minister.
He added that the economic nature of the fair is represented in it being Syria’s economic window to the world through which investors, traders and industrialists can exchange their industries with their counterparts from other countries.
Sara made it clear that Damascus International Fair is also considered as a media event, because through this fair journalists can be briefed on the latest industrial, trade, political, cultural and social developments in Syria.
Sara said that 125 media outlets, including 42 foreign outlets that got visa to enter Syria, are covering the fair’s activities, besides tens of websites and social media pages.
He concluded by saying that the Fair is a message stressing the steadfastness of the Syrian people and their victory over terrorism and about the Syrians’ determination to rebuild a new sovereign, prosperous and dignified Syria.
The opening ceremony included the screening of a short documentary about the history of Damascus International Fair and a marvelous performance by bands from Syria, Russia and Iran embodying the Silk Road and giving an idea about each country through which the Silk Road passes. In addition, the ceremony included a theatrical show titled “From Damascus to the World, in which Syrian bands and a choir of wounded army soldiers presented songs and dances representing different Syrian province and sending a message of peace to the world.
A total of 500 companies are taking part in the fair this year, with wide participation of huge companies from Russia, Iran, China, Belarus and India.
Report and Interview by Hamda Mustafa