The Syriatex apparel exhibition held in Damascus, Syria, wrapped up four days of manufacturer-buyer matchmaking, drawing about 500 businesspeople from abroad, as organizers aim to open larger international markets for local apparel products.

Key Points

  • A total of 236 Syrian companies exhibited, covering Damascus, Rural Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Idlib, Hama and Latakia.
  • About 500 overseas businesspeople attended, most from Arab countries; professional visitors and buyers exceeded 10,000.
  • Organizers plan to hold another exhibition in about two months, expecting up to 500 exhibiting manufacturers, with a focus on inviting buyers from markets not covered this time, such as Libya.

Exhibition Basics

According to the Syrian news agency SANA, the exhibition opened on September 23 and ran for four days, positioned as the Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collection, and jointly organized by the Damascus and Rural Damascus Chamber of Industry and the Aleppo Chamber of Industry. Exhibits covered ready-to-wear categories including women's, men's and children's clothing, as well as underwear, cotton products, knitwear, fabrics, accessories and production supplies.

Matchmaking Results and Organizer Remarks

Mohammad Zizan, a board member of the Aleppo Chamber of Industry and head of its exhibition committee, told SANA that multiple commercial contracts and agreements were reached during the exhibition. He said the exhibition was oriented toward export markets, and this orientation helped exhibiting companies sell a considerable portion of their exhibits.

Zizan also said about 500 overseas businesspeople attended this edition, most of them from Arab countries; in addition to buyers, the exhibition attracted more than 10,000 visitors, many of them industry practitioners and apparel buyers.

Follow-up Plans

Organizers intend to make Syriatex the first in a series of export-oriented exhibitions. Zizan revealed that the next exhibition is expected in about two months, with the number of participating manufacturers possibly reaching 500. Organizers also plan to expand outreach to more markets, focusing on Libya and countries and regions that did not send representatives this time.

Significance for the Industry

Judging from the organizing approach of this edition, Syria's textile and apparel industry is trying to use the exhibition as an export matchmaking platform, boosting overseas shipments of local products by concentrating invitations to foreign buyers and arranging exhibits according to export market demand. Syria's target of 500 exhibitors for the next edition and its expansion of outreach to new markets such as Libya show its intention to institutionalize such exhibitions and gradually broaden export channels.

Source: Syriatex draws 500 foreign businesspeople as Syria looks to expand apparel exports · Originally published 2026-09-27