Although economic news aren’t the highlight of our current press and media coverage as it was a month from now, but an article of the kind “The inauguration of three new exhibitions by Arabian Group for Exhibitions and Conferences” would make one stop and wonder how and why such an economic event is being held despite the circumstances that Syria is going through.

“A big challenge for us and for those around us to make the decision of going on in these hard times we’re experiencing in Syria… and after a brief period of contemplation, we decided, as an organizing company and a group of exhibitors, to go on and not stop despite the fact that we know very well the economic losses that we will be suffering because of such a decision; but we still wanted to convey the message to the world that business is still running and that the wheel cannot stop wholly and that our country Syria is still well.” With those words, Mr. Alaa Hilal, CEO of Arabian Group for Exhibitions and Conferences clarified the reason behind the insistence of his company to inaugurate three of its specialized exhibitions Yesterday evening at Damascus Fairground, Syria.

Mr. Hilal refused the possibility of delaying the exhibitions, asserting that this would have been one of the easiest decisions that the organizing and participating companies could have made. “Delaying is very dangerous on the reputation of exhibition industry in Syria because it gives a negative impression of unprofessionalism and shakes the credibility we’ve built with our clients and the visitors of our exhibitions. That’s why we’ve chosen the harder way, which is proceeding as planned and as we published in all the Arab and foreign media during the course of the year. Other than that, we’ve sent hundreds of visit invitations to our clients from many Arab and foreign countries since the beginning of the year, and it’s not acceptable for us that one of them comes to visit the exhibition and finds its doors closed.”

Arabian Group for Exhibitions and Conferences, which annually organizes 16 specialized exhibitions in all sectors of the economy, has inaugurated Yesterday under the patronage of the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade, three exhibitions which are the International Exhibition for Furniture and Interior Design - INLIFE in its 6th edition, and the 1st editions of the International Exhibition for Cosmetics and Beauty Products - Beauty Care, and Wedding Expo.
Mr. Hilal pointed out the fact that many international companies canceled their participation in the exhibitions because of the false image that the media is conveying about what’s happening in Syria, he revealed that going on with the exhibition comes in the context of asserting that life cannot stop in Syria highlighting that most of the local participating companies came to exhibit, and he underlined the fact that there is a number of official delegations visiting the exhibitions which is always a positive point, among those delegations was an Iraqi delegation from the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Hilal revealed that many media and advertising campaigns in many magazines, TV channels, and other medias were launched in order to attract visitors and exhibitors to participate at the exhibitions that are organized by the company.

He concluded by addressing the business sector in Syria “I urge business owners in Syria to keep on working hard to maintain the reputation of the Syrian business sector, a reputation that we strived so hard to build” he also expressed his deep gratitude for all the exhibiting companies who, in spite of all the pressure and the financial losses, went on with their participation at the exhibitions.

Under the patronage of the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade, three exhibitions organized by Arabian Group for Exhibitions and Conferences were inaugurated on the evening of Monday 25 April, 2011 at Damascus Fairground, Syria. The exhibitions are the International Exhibition for Furniture and Interior Design - INLIFE in its 6th edition, and the 1st editions of the International Exhibition for Cosmetics and Beauty Products - Beauty Care, and Wedding Expo.

Mr. Ghassan Al-Eid, Assistant to the Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, stated “Hosting exhibitions in those circumstances is a big success and is a reflection of the insistence to adapt to the unusual situation that the region is going through.” Mr. Al-Eid highlighted the role that exhibitions play in terms of developing local industries especially that there are many distinguished trademarks participating at the shows alongside a number of high-level local products that compete in the local and foreign markets. The Assistant Minister hailed the high standard that the exhibition industry has reached in Syria, an industry that has proven that it is doing well and that it wasn’t affected by the circumstances that Syria is going through.

Mr. Alaa Hilal, CEO of Arabian Group for Exhibitions and Conferences - the organizing company of the three exhibitions- , said In a statement “Hosting the exhibitions at this particular time is a big challenge for everyone, where the situation is very hard on us as an exhibition-organizing company, on the exhibitors, and even on the visitors, but it’s clear for everyone to see that everybody insisted on participating at the show to prove that the economic wheel cannot stop all at once.”

Mr. Hilal thanked all the participating companies who went on with their participation and endured many difficulties in spite of the expectation that visitor turnout will drop in relation to previous years because of the turn of events in the region; he also pointed out the fact that many international companies canceled their participation in the exhibitions because of the false image that the media is conveying about what’s happening in Syria, he revealed that going on with the exhibition comes in the context of asserting that life cannot stop in Syria highlighting that most of the local participating companies came to exhibit, and he underlined the fact that there is a number of official delegations visiting the exhibitions which is always a positive point, among those delegations was an Iraqi delegation from the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Hilal revealed that many media and advertising campaigns in many magazines, TV channels, and other medias were launched in order to attract visitors and exhibitors to participate at the exhibitions that are organized by the company.

Mr. Hilal added that the International Exhibition for Furniture and Interior Design - INLIFE is witnessing the participation of around 100 companies that represent more than 200 local and international brands from 25 countries, where numerous companies participating at INLIFE affirmed that they are offering discounts and special offers on all kinds of furniture and furnishings exclusively in the days of the exhibition. Additionally, a number of companies will organize lotteries and give away gifts in the last day of the exhibition.

INLIFE, over the course of its previous five editions, opened an exceptional window of opportunity to establish long-term business relations between specialized companies in this sector, and importers; distributors; engineering companies; interior design companies; and the management of tourism establishments, through introducing them to the latest innovations and solutions in the world of furniture and interior design.
In what concerns the International Exhibition for Cosmetics and Beauty Products - Beauty Care in its 1st edition, which is being held with the participation of more than 85 local, Arab, and international trademarks. Beauty Care offers an exceptional opportunity for participating companies to enter the Syrian and the Middle Eastern markets especially that those markets have achieved a 12% growth rate in the last 3 years in what relates to the cosmetics and beauty field.
In its 3rd edition, Wedding Expo, the exhibition that is specialized in weddings and their necessities, is witnessing distinguished participation from many companies whose business is related to the necessities and needs of those who plan to marry in the near future. The opening ceremony of the exhibition witnessed a dance dedicated to Syria by ‘Aram’ Troupe for Dancing.

It is noteworthy that the three exhibitions will open their doors till the 29th of April (Except Beauty Care which will be concluded at the 28th April) daily from 5:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. and that free shuttle service in air-conditioned buses will be available for free during all the days of the exhibition from Bab Touma square to Damascus Fairground every half an hour.