DAMASCUS, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- After a five-year suspension, the Damascus International Fair, the Syrian economy's window to the world, kicked off in Damascus on Thursday evening, with the government sending a message of recovery following a six-year bloody war.
Established in 1954, the fair's last edition was held in 2011, the first year of the Syrian war. In later years, the fair was suspended because of the battles, particularly those around the fairgrounds in southeastern rim of Damascus.
With the participation of foreign companies from 43 Arab and foreign countries including China, Russia, Iran, France, Britain and Belgium, the 59th edition of the Damascus International Fair started at the fairgrounds near the international airport of Damascus.
