Syria Stages International Fair Amid Food Crisis and Political Outreach

Damascus has kicked off the 62nd International Fair this week, positioned as a statement of Syria’s intent to re-enter regional markets and signal its economic revival. More than eight hundred exhibitors—nearly two hundred from overseas—are showcasing their wares and ambitions in the vast pavilions lining the banks of the Barada river. President Ahmad Al Sharaa, expected to inaugurate the event, urged neighbouring Iraq and Lebanon not to bypass emerging trade and investment possibilities afforded by Syria’s renewed connectivity between Europe and the Arabian Peninsula.

Participation spans 37 countries, with Jordan and Türkiye visibly prominent, alongside firms from Gulf states, Egypt, Belgium, South Africa and the Philippines. Notably absent are US companies, despite Washington lifting some sanctions in June; key legal restrictions under the Caesar Act endure.

The fair revives one of the region’s most enduring business platforms after a six-year lull, blending economic exhibition with cultural displays. Spacious infrastructure—built pavilions, open-air areas, delegation lounges, media zones and extensive amenities—has been ready, with organisers reporting 70–80 per cent completion of logistical preparations. Alongside trade showcases, the event features poetry readings, folklore performances, traditional fashion and children’s programming as part of its cultural programming.

But this façade of renewal sits against stark realities. Syria is confronting the worst drought in 36 years, resulting in a 40 per cent collapse in wheat output compared to the prior year. Domestic production has slumped to around 1.2 million tonnes, leaving a shortfall of 2.73 million tonnes—enough to sustain some 16 million people for a year. The United Nations warns that without significant imports and financial backing, the nation risks a worsening food crisis, with more than half of its 25 million residents already facing food insecurity.

Despite the reconstruction vision being heralded at the fair, Syria has yet to secure large-scale wheat import deals; only modest private shipments—approximately 200,000 tonnes—and emergency aid from Iraq and Ukraine have been delivered so far. Local procurement from farmers stands at half the prior year’s volume, compounding the pressure on essential subsidies such as bread, which remains a staple for the population.

The fair itself is built around the narrative of transformation. Officials frame the venue not merely as a marketplace but as evidence of Syria’s rebirth—a sovereign, economically viable state emerging from years of conflict. Al-Sharaa’s ascent to power late last year marked the fall of the Assad regime; his government, characterised as technocratic and inclusive of minority representation, has sought to attract investors and establish institutional foundations.

At the same time, Syria’s political reset is reaching beyond trade exhibits. Al-Sharaa last month hosted a delegation of US Congress members in Damascus, engaging in dialogue on economic reform, security partnerships and even potential re-establishment of a permanent US diplomatic presence in the capital. These talks follow earlier easing of certain sanctions and reflect a cautious opening to Western engagement amid regional recalibration.