In a notable sign of Syria’s reemergence on the global stage, Damascus is hosting its first major international exhibition since the fall of President Bashar Assad’s regime in December. The Agro Syria Expo, now in its third edition, brings together nearly 120 companies from across the Arab world and beyond to showcase innovations in agriculture, veterinary services, and food production. Reporter Rizik Alabi was on the ground in Damascus [1], where the exhibition marks a tentative effort by the new Syrian government to restore foreign trade, revive the country’s war-shattered rural economy, and project a message of openness to international investment.
Held at the Damascus fairgrounds and supported by key Syrian agricultural institutions, the event is a turning point for Syria’s devastated farming sector, which has struggled with the effects of conflict, climate change, and broken infrastructure. Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr described the expo as a milestone and pledged support for foreign and domestic investors. Exhibitors and attendees, including experts from Turkey, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia, expressed cautious optimism about Syria’s economic future.
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The fair takes place against the backdrop of unresolved political divisions, continued sanctions, and fragile security. Yet the participation of foreign companies suggests a growing willingness among regional powers to engage with Syria economically, even as formal diplomatic normalization remains limited.
Director of the Syrian Exhibitions Authority Mohammad Hamzeh called the expo a sign that Syria is “regaining its economic vitality.” Khalaf Mashhadani, who organized the fair, emphasized its role in facilitating trade partnerships.
As Rizik Alabi reports [1], the fair’s continuation through Sunday will feature panels and business matchmaking, reflecting hopes that Agro Syria will become a permanent fixture in the country’s recovery efforts.