German Firms Join Damascus Fair After 40 Years

The 63rd Damascus International Fair, hosting around one thousand exhibitors from nearly 60 countries, drew notable German participation this year, with 13 German companies attending for the first time in more than four decades.

About the Fair

The participating German companies work in consulting, logistics, health, energy, exhibitions and event management, aiming to explore the Syrian market and identify potential partnerships. The fair runs until September 4, bringing together local, Arab and international companies, ministries, public bodies, chambers of commerce, business councils, and investment and service entities.

The Syrian-German Joint Committee

On July 16, Syria and Germany signed a declaration in Damascus establishing the Syrian-German Joint Committee, a formal step aimed at organizing lasting cooperation between the two countries. The committee coordinates bilateral cooperation and follows up on understandings covering:

• Economic recovery and rebuilding
• Investment, energy and transport
• Civil aviation
• Transitional justice and missing persons
• The refugee file

From Diplomacy to Economic Partnerships

The fair dedicated its first three days to investors and business figures, opening direct channels between investors and opportunities available in the Syrian market. Economist and businessman Faisal Atari told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that German economic presence at the fair follows the ongoing effort to strengthen ties between Damascus and Berlin, and that the formation of the committee provided an institutional framework for following up on economic cooperation files, particularly rebuilding, investment and transport, in addition to the refugee file, which is of particular interest to the European side.

Atari added that this institutional framework offers political and legal cover that could boost the confidence of German investors, and help limit investment risks by activating double taxation avoidance agreements and establishing official channels for dispute resolution, which could in turn increase the involvement of European banks and insurance companies in project financing.

Guarantees and Implementation Mechanisms

Atari stressed the importance of providing effective implementation tools to support the committee's work and remove obstacles facing investors, including establishing a unified government window and preparing a package of clear, financeable projects. He said translating economic diplomacy into tangible results requires concrete implementation procedures and clear guarantee mechanisms.