Damascus became the center of international textile trade this weekend as the NASTEX 2026 exhibition got underway on Saturday, welcoming more than 300 companies representing over 20 nations. Syria is counting on the event to help revive its struggling textile sector, draw in new investors, and expand its export market as part of a wider push to get the country’s economy back on track.
The four-day event runs through July 21 at the Conference Palace in Damascus. It features a wide range of participants, including makers of garments, textiles, home furnishings, industrial machinery, equipment, yarn, and raw materials, as well as companies offering digital transformation and advanced manufacturing technologies. Organizers say the goal is to forge stronger business relationships and open new doors for Syrian-made goods.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa officially opened the exhibition, framing the textile industry as a fundamental part of the nation’s economic identity and saying its recovery could be central to the country’s broader reconstruction.
During his remarks at the opening ceremony, al-Sharaa called the exhibition “a point of departure” in the fight against poverty and economic hardship. He said rebuilding the textile sector has the potential to generate thousands of jobs while helping to restore industrial output and economic momentum.
The president also said Syria is working toward a new era grounded in civil peace, national unity, balanced diplomacy, security, and economic development — steps he said could position the country once again as a regional hub for production, innovation, and skilled labor.
Economy and Industry Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar characterized NASTEX as “more than a specialized exhibition,” saying it sends a signal of confidence in Syria’s potential to reclaim its standing as a regional center for manufacturing, industry, and trade.
Al-Shaar said the government is actively working to make the investment environment more competitive by cutting red tape, modernizing industry, fostering innovation, and growing exports — all with the aim of restoring the reputation of goods bearing the label “Made in Syria.”
Fadi al-Mohamid, the founder of NASTEX, described the exhibition as a bridge connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and investors to spark new business partnerships. Organizers bill it as the first comprehensive event in the Middle East dedicated to textiles, furnishings, and interior design, bringing together the latest products, technologies, and innovations across the sector — from fabrics and furniture to manufacturing equipment, raw materials, and digital industrial tools.
Syria’s textile industry was once among the country’s biggest employers and a major driver of exports before years of conflict left it severely weakened. Syrian officials are hopeful that a renewed push for economic activity and greater investor involvement will help restore production and make the sector competitive again in both regional and international markets.
