Damascus has welcomed the 22nd iteration of the International Building Exhibition "Buildex," marking its return for the first time since the downfall of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024.
The event drew strong participation and visitor turnout, signaling renewed interest in Syria’s reconstruction. More than 740 companies took part, including 490 local firms and 250 international companies from 39 countries. The exhibition was held at the new fairgrounds near Damascus International Airport.
Significantly, Turkish, Saudi, and Jordanian enterprises took the lead in terms of foreign involvement, with Turkey sending more than 150 businesses, which made up the bulk of international representation. Close behind were Saudi Arabia and Jordan, both contributing 28 companies apiece, whereas China joined the event with 10 participants.
On the contrary, firms from Iran and Russia, which previously held significant presence at the event, completely vanished. This change mirrors the declining impact of these nations subsequent to Syria’s political reshaping.
The exhibitors showcased industries such as building supplies, engineering services, sustainable energy solutions, property development, water technologies, and financial institutions. According to organizers, this expo was billed as the biggest economic gathering held in Syria following the removal of sanctions by both the U.S. and the European Union.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ilama Matar, the International Marketing Manager at the Arab Group for Exhibitions, stated that this marks "the first edition since the liberation."
She pointed out that due to the war, only two restricted editions took place in 2023 and 2024. She highlighted the significance of Saudi Arabia’s involvement, noting that Al-Ojaimi Industrial Group—a leading Saudi firm in the electrical industry—acted as the principal sponsor.
The B2B meetings mainly took place among businesses from Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, with an emphasis on material supply chains and import logistics. According to Matar, several firms participated solely as observers because there wasn’t enough room for everyone.
“The energy here shows that Syria is open for business,” Matar said. “This is the first major event after sanctions were lifted, and companies are moving quickly to enter the market.”
Participating among the Saudi companies were United Transformers Electric Company, Plus Cable, Middle East Specialized Cables, and Sulfur Middle East Group. The Executive Director, Al-Baraa Abdul Jabbar Nuwair, mentioned that their aim was to aid Syria and assist with reconstruction efforts. "We surpassed our anticipated engagement levels as we saw remarkable enthusiasm," he stated.
Ahmad Hammadeh, the Marketing Manager at Middle East Specialized Cables, stated that his firm intends to investigate new export prospects and demonstrate their proficiency in infrastructure development. "Our contributions include constructing significant airports; thus, we see an opportunity for comparable ventures within this region," he remarked.
The exhibition, inaugurated on May 27, took place with the support of Syria’s Ministries of Economy, Industry, and Public Works.
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