Damascus, Sept. 12 (SANA)Syrian industryis moving to expand its exports and enter new markets as companies increasingly participate in international exhibitions, foremost among them the Syrian Industries Exhibition (SYREX Jeddah 2026).

The exhibition opened in theSaudi city of Jeddahon Sept. 8 and concluded Friday under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Industry and Damascus and its countryside andAleppo chambersof industry.

DeputyMinister of Economy and IndustryMohammad Yassin Hourieh told SANA that SYREX Jeddah 2026 marked the first Syrian industrial exhibition held abroad, adding that Saudi Arabia was selected to launch such events due to the importance of its market and the relations between the two countries.

More than 150Syrian companiesrepresenting the food, textile, engineering and chemical industries participated in the exhibition, Hourieh said, noting that food companies accounted for the largest share.

Moving beyond thedomestic marketinto foreign ones is a key objective for industrialists because the continuity and development of industry depend on its export capacity, he said.

Syria will continue organizing exhibitions abroad to reach target markets and activate trade, he added.

Regarding the results of the exhibition, Hourieh said Syrian products, particularly food ones, attracted considerable interest. Final figures will determine the value of contracts concluded and which products will enter theSaudi marketfor the first time or in greater quantities than before.

Food industries were the largest sector represented at the exhibition, using the event to promote their products and explore new distribution channels in the Saudi market.

Al-Durra Food Products CEO Emad Adnan Alnen said Saudi Arabia is an important market, noting that the company showcased more than 400 products and exported to over85 countries worldwide.

The company has also established a new distribution firm in the Kingdom to expand its presence in the Saudi market, he added.

Participation was not limited to food industries, with textile andcarpet companiesalso represented among the Syrian exhibitors.

Ghazi Mohammad, owner of al-Farouk Carpets, said the company participated to enhance the presence of Syrian products in the Saudi market and reach a broader customer base.

The most prominent participating sectors were food,clothing and textiles,Mohammad said, noting the large volume of products on display and estimating that between 60 and 70 percent of the participating companies were entering the Saudi market for the first time.

International exhibitionsprovide Syrian companies with opportunities to communicate directly with importers and businesspeople, understand market requirements, and explore distribution and contracting opportunities.

In parallel, the Local Production andExport Support and Development Authorityprovides export information and services, facilitates procedures, develops export markets and diversifies destinations for Syrian products.

The authority also supports products with high export potential and helps improve their quality to meet the requirements of foreign markets.

As part of efforts to modernizeexport mechanisms, the authority launched the fully integrated electronic National Export Registry on April 1 to improve export-related procedures andservices and facilitate companies’dealings with relevant bodies.

The move coincides with increased participation by Syrian companies in international exhibitions, alongside Damascus International Fair, which serves as a platform forpromoting Syrian productsand their distinctive specifications and supporting their access to foreign markets.

The fair’s 63rd edition concluded on Sept. 4 with the participation of around 1,000 local, Arab and international entities representing nearly 60 countries.

It also featured meetings among businessmen, investors and companies, as well as the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding across variouseconomic sectors.These activities created new opportunities for commercial and investment cooperation and supported the export of Syrian products.

The Saudi market holds particular importance for Syrian companies participating in SYREX Jeddah 2026, whether they seek to enter it for the first time or increase sales and expand their distribution networks.

The exhibition’s results will depend on the value of contracts and orders generated through business meetings, as well as companies’ ability to consistently meetmarket requirementsregarding quality, specifications, pricing and supply.

As exhibitions and economic events continue, Syrian industry is seeking to transform international participation from an opportunity to showcase products into a channel for increasing exports and building lasting commercial relationships inregional markets.