The 48th Damascus International Fair
Syria, Economics, 8/18/2001

The 48th session of the Damascus International Fair ( DIF) which will open on August 28th is characterized by an active participation of national, Arab and international companies and facilities provided to bidders and participants.

In statements to the press, the director general of the general establishment for fairs and international markets Imad al-Zou'bi said this increase can be noted in the participation of 32 countries in this year's session instead of 23 in the previous session as well as the participation of 120 companies representing 22 states instead of 61 companies representing 21 states in the previous session of 2000.

Al-Zou'bi added that the number of countries taking part directly in the activities of the DIF is 54.

He noted similar increase in the number of the participating Syrian national companies in the Syrian pavilion, adding that 117 private sector companies and 100 public sector ones are participating, and the local national pavilions occupy an area of 10,858, square kilometers.

On the parallel activities of the 48th session of the DIF, he indicated that an economic seminar will be held on September 1st- 3rd with titles on Fair's industries in general, inter- Arab economic bilateral and joint agreements as well as a lecture on the role of the economic media in the Syrian press.

He said that the Fair's artistic activities will be held at the Fair's theater and continue until September 30.

Al-Zou'bi also concentrated on the great services to be provided in the DIF's 48th session, noting that for the first time, promotion for the coming 49th session of the DIF will be made through the current session. A matter which makes it easier for vast participation with a priority given to early registered companies.

He also noted an increase in Cotta pricing from USD 5,000 of the value of the registered goods for non resident companies to USD 12,000 and from USD80,000 to USD150,000 to one pavilion of an 600 square meters area. He explained that this new measure resulted in a great turnout and active participation in the DIF.

He also added that the first four days of the Fair are for businessmen for their trade deals and exposing their products, besides expanding the area of the businessmen center at the Fair in order to provide best services to this effect.

As for countries taking part at the DIF for the first time, al-Zou'bi said that Italy and Germany are taking part officially while Indonesia, Brazil, and Oman are taking part for the first time, noting that Holland which has not participated since 10 years is participating in this session by a pavilion of 600 square meters area.

Al-Zou'bi also indicated the key role to be played by the new Fairs city to be completed in the year 2003 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the DIF, in developing Syrian Fairs and Markets industry. He said that the new Fair's city will be built on an area of almost 2 million square meters at the way to the Damascus International Airport and will be provided with best facilities and advanced equipment.

Moreover, the Palestinian authority takes part in the Damascus International fair, for the first time.

Al-Zou'bi said that the Palestinian authority will take part for the first time in the Damascus international fair, noting this participation is in a free of charge pavilion with the aim to support the Palestinian industries which have been passing difficult conditions as a result of the siege imposed on it by the Israeli forces though the economic siege on the Palestinian companies.

He said that the Palestinian pavilion includes commodities and products of Palestinian origin, especially garments, detergents and wooden industries and handicrafts.

The Palestinian Authority is taking part in the Fair by an official delegation including the ministers of industry and finance, the advisor for the Palestinian President, the director of the industrial cities and the industrial free zones in Palestine and the chairman of the general federation for the Palestinian industries and the Fairs directors and others.

During the events of the 48th session of the DIF a large delegation of Palestinian businessmen and industrialists of 163 participants will visit Damascus representing various industrial, trade, services, tourism, and vocation unions sectors in the Palestinian National authority.

Previous Stories:
  For the first time, the Palestinian authority in the Damascus International Fair   (8/16/2001)
  Syrian- Iraqi joint higher committee meetings conclude, trade, industry, health and transport agreements   (8/14/2001)
  For boosting Syrian- Iraqi trade co-operation   (8/9/2001)

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