“The History of Aleppo Trade” Book documents multiple periods of time

The book “The History of Aleppo Trade”, written by journalist Ahmed Ezz al-Din Nabulsi and published Dr. Muhammad Kamal al-Jaffa, covers, through historical documentation, the ancient time period of Aleppo trade from the second millennium BC until the French colonizers left Syria, in addition to the golden age of Aleppo trade.

During the book signing ceremony that took place on Wednesday in Aleppo Chamber of Commerce, Al-Nabulsi said in a statement to SANA correspondent that the 150-page book talks about the trade Silk Road extending from China to Aleppo, and the trade agreements with consulates and European and Arab countries. It also cast light on the markets, khans and bazaars of the old city, documenting this with old and modern photos.

He pointed out that the book sheds light on the economic activities and historical life of Aleppo, its businessmen, Arab and foreign merchants, and the names of the heads of the Chamber of Commerce from 1885 until today. It also includes a glimpse of the visit of Mr. President Bashar Al-Assad and First Lady Asma Al-Assad to the markets and inns of the old city and its role in restoring hope to the owners of shops, inns, and markets by rebuilding them through implementing Decree No. 13, which includes tax exemptions, financial facilities, and simplifying procedures for the return of life again.”

In his speech, Head of Aleppo Chamber of Commerce, Amer Hamwi, underlined the importance of the book in documenting an important and historical era of commercial activity in the city, which over time formed the link between the East and the West, stressing the role of the Chamber in providing all support and facilities to merchants and economic activities to return the commercial movement better than it was and achieve prosperity for Syria.

In a recorded speech presented to the audience, the book’s publisher, Dr. Muhammad Kamal Al-Jaffa, spoke about Aleppo’s economic role throughout history and its industrial and commercial weight, which the book highlights, noting the efforts made by the author to document and preserve the city’s commercial history for future generations so that it remains an important legacy within the system of development that the world is witnessing.

Chairman of Aleppo Governorate Council, Muhammad Hijazi, Chairman of Aleppo City Council, Dr. Maad Madalji, Member of the Supreme Fatwa Council and the Mufti of Aleppo, Dr. Mahmoud Akam, Director of Antiquities and Museums in Aleppo, Dr. Sakher Olabi, President of the Al-Adiyat Association in Aleppo, Engineer Muhammad Khair al-Din al-Rifai, and the economic expert at the University of Aleppo Dr. Hassan Hazouri gave speeches in which they emphasized the importance of the book that talks about the ancient history of Aleppo and its trade throughout history. They highlighted Aleppo’s important role on the Silk Road in promoting the national economy and pushing the wheel of production forward as well as its challenge to various difficulties and the achievement of the prosperity of its trade.

Inas Abdulkareem