firms flock to syria fair with eye on reconstruction
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Firms flock to Syria fair with eye on reconstruction

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Firms flock to Syria fair with eye on reconstruction

Lured by potentially enormous contracts for reconstruction work in war-torn Syria, international companies have
Damascus - AFP

Lured by potentially enormous contracts for reconstruction work in war-torn Syria, international companies have laid out their wares at the Damascus International Fair for the first time in six years.

The top event on pre-war Syria's economic calendar, the fair is hosting firms from 23 countries that have maintained diplomatic relations with Damascus throughout the conflict.

The last fair took place in the summer of 2011, months after the start of a revolt against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The United States and European countries who have imposed economic sanctions on the Assad regime were not officially invited, although a few Western companies are attending.

"We've come back to Syria because it's a promising country," Nabil Moghrabiye of wastewater piping firm Ostendorf Kunststoffe, the only German company at the Fair, told AFP.

"We hope to re-enter the market... and find a dealer," he said at his small stand in the 74,000 square metre (800,000 square foot) exhibition centre.

Two French companies are present: cocktail syrup producer La Maison Routin 1883 and tableware specialist Luminarc.

Representatives of both refused to speak to the press.

Russia and Iran, unwavering allies of the Syrian regime since the war broke out in 2011, were each represented by several firms including agricultural and energy companies.

"We want to extend our business to other regions of Syria," Mortazak Yanji, of Iran's Mabna, which has built two power stations in the country, told AFP.

- Business opportunity -

Other Iranian firms included manufacturers of cars, medical equipment and home appliances.

"This fair is very important for the start of reconstruction," said Igor Matveyev, commercial attache at Russia's embassy in Damascus.

"It's an opportunity to build useful relations... between Russian and Syrian businessmen."

Assad said in 2016 that his allies would receive the lion's share of contracts to rebuild the country.

He reiterated in April that no country which had aided the Syrian opposition should be allowed to take part in the process.

International organisations estimate that reconstructing Syria, devastated by a six-year war that has left killed more than 320,000 people, will cost upwards of $300 billion (275 billion euros).

The World Bank has put the cost of the war damage at $226 billion, still four times Syria's pre-conflict gross domestic product.

The online economic weekly Syria Report said this week said the fair was an attempt by the Assad regime to bring back investors and promote a return to normality.

But it said the fair's real impact would be hard to judge due to ongoing fighting in several parts of the country, Western sanctions and lack of funds for reconstruction.

The conflict first erupted in March 2011 with protests against the rule of Assad, but it has since evolved into a complex war drawing in international powers

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

firms flock to syria fair with eye on reconstruction firms flock to syria fair with eye on reconstruction

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

firms flock to syria fair with eye on reconstruction firms flock to syria fair with eye on reconstruction

 



GMT 16:16 2014 Wednesday ,10 September

Samirah Ibrahim receives Saudi cultural attaché

GMT 09:32 2017 Sunday ,24 September

China confirms will limit oil exports to North Korea

GMT 19:56 2016 Saturday ,17 September

Typhoon Meranti death toll rises to 28

GMT 09:40 2018 Monday ,01 January

OIC Summit opens in Kazakhstan

GMT 06:37 2015 Monday ,07 December

Iran film directors protest colleague's jail term

GMT 18:37 2017 Friday ,25 August

Mental health issues should be prioritized

GMT 04:39 2017 Thursday ,31 August

Trump vows to right 'self-destructive' tax code

GMT 05:29 2017 Tuesday ,22 August

Celebrations across India on 71st Independence Day

GMT 10:54 2017 Wednesday ,11 October

Child obesity grows tenfold since 1975

GMT 02:31 2016 Tuesday ,06 December

Dubai Women Establishment delegation participates

GMT 04:29 2018 Wednesday ,19 September

North and South Korea: Kim and Moon hail new future

GMT 14:18 2013 Monday ,19 August

Newlywed Lebanese couple pose at car bomb site

GMT 11:11 2011 Friday ,12 August

Palestinian university ranks seventh in Arab world

GMT 15:16 2015 Wednesday ,26 August

UAE ambassador attends charity ceremony in Qalubiya

GMT 16:59 2016 Tuesday ,26 July

Hedge funds in new cycle of oil short-selling
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday