“Expo Syria 2024” an opportunity to revive national economy
“Expo Syria 2024 is an important economic platform to encourage industrialists and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises from various Syrian governorates to support the national economy and strengthen the Syrian identity at the world level, which has proven its existence for thousands of years”, Hossam Khader, Director of Sales Development at Hussein Al-Nasser Food Company, told “Syria Times” on the sidelines of the “Expo Syria 2024” exhibition, currently held at the New Fairgrounds in Damascus.
“Our participation came through displaying the various products of our company that have reached all over the world, including all types of legumes, rice, pasta, halva, tahina, and olive oil, for which Syria is famous,”Khader said.
He added “our company, which was established in 1995, chose the food industries sector because Syria has enormous agricultural yields. Our company’s goal is to provide high-quality products at competitive prices, which has allowed us to leave a distinguished mark at the local, Arab and international levels”.Khader pointed to the role of local companies in the recovery phase that Syria is witnessing through enhancing the production process despite all the difficulties and challenges.
“The participation of 600 local companies makes the exhibition a landmark and an economic event that allows all visitors and participants to see the Syrian economy in its new dimensions, and to witness its accelerated recovery embodied by the various development components in Syria including the public, private and joint sectors.
“Our heritage is our ambassador to the world”
For her part, Mrs. Rimal Saleh, Head of the Syrian Al-Wafaa Developmental Foundation said in a statement to “Syria Times”: “Our deep-rooted heritage is our ambassador to the world. Preserving it means preserving our Syrian identity, and through our effective preservation and appreciation of our heritage, we contribute to forming a collective legacy that will form the future, ensure that the traditions and values of the past are not forgotten, preserve the identity of nations, and document the achievements of our ancestors “.She stressed that the exhibition is a distinguished cultural manifestation and a great challenge to send a message to the whole world that despite all the obstacles, difficulties and sanctions imposed on our beloved country, the Syrians, thanks to their strong will and determination, are able to enhance the presence of their country at all levels and to make it better than ever.
Mrs. Saleh pointed out that the participation of Al-Wafaa Foundation, affiliated with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, came at the invitation of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Development Authority.She added our exhibits included works of ancient heritage handicrafts such as straw, mosaics, seashells, brocade, Agbani, calligraphy, stained glass, engraving on wood and sewing.
“Our foundation’s goal is to preserve, protect and revive ancient traditional crafts, protect them from extinction, and introduce them to the new generation so that they can learn and preserve them” Mrs. Saleh stressed.
She indicated that several delegations from China, Iraq, Russia and other countries visited Al-Wafaa foundation pavilion and expressed their appreciation for the importance of the exhibits that represent the Syrian deep-rooted civilization .
“The Expo Syria 2024 is one of the most important economic exhibitions at all levels as it included various sectors such as the food, engineering, chemical, textile, shipping and banking sectors” according to Engineer Mahmoud Al-Sayes, Director of Production and Quality Department at Omaya Class Dairy company.
He stressed that “It is the first exhibition that includes all these specializations as ready-made goods manufactured for export. It is also distinguished by the number of visitors from various countries, as it hosted 2,500 visitors and businessmen who are interested in Syrian goods.”Al-Sayes indicated that Omaya Class Dairy Company is a food manufacturing company that produces all types of ice cream, biscuits, cakes, sweets, pizza, pastries, and other traditional Western and Eastern dishes.
“It is a great achievement for Syria, which has faced a terrorist war at all levels, to host all these participating facilities, factories and workshops, as the exhibition is distinguished by the presence of old and new companies. We wish that the exhibition would be a glimmer of hope for the return of exportation,” Al-Sayes expressed.
He went on to say that “We are interested in delegations getting to know Syrian products in the hope of opening up export prospects . We welcome all parties that have a desire to cooperate with Syrian companies”.
Al-Sayes praised the quality of the Syrian product, which has maintained its presence in the region, especially in the field of the textile industry, pointing out that the exhibition will open new markets for Syrian products for export, which is considered the lung of the economy to earning the foreign currency.
He praised the participatory efforts that contributed to holding the exhibition, stressing that they will contribute to its success and achieve its goals in restoring the glory of the Syrian industry and its return to competition in the Arab and world markets to serve Syrian industry.“Syrian products will regain their previous position in Arab and Western markets. We are happy with our participation, which we seek to have in every edition of the exhibition, which is considered a great challenge, especially since we are witnessing a recovery phase, and as industrialists we must support the country in all fields,” Al-Sayes concluded.
Interviewed by : Rawaa Ghanam
Photos by : Rawaa Ghanam