Istanbul, May 8 (SANA) The Beauty Istanbul 2026 exhibition opened Thursday in Türkiye‘s largest city, with a prominent Syrian presence signaling the return of national industry to the international arena. The Syrian pavilion, organized by the Damascus Chamber of Industry, features five companies specializing in cosmetics and personal care products.
Wafa Abu Labdeh, head of the chemical sector at the chamber, told SANA that Syria’s participation in the exhibition marks an important step toward reclaiming its place on the international trade circuit, noting that the Syrian pavilion drew significant attention on its first day thanks to the quality and variety of products on display. She said the strong turnout of visitors and business figures on the opening day reflects growing confidence in Syrian products and their competitive potential, adding that the participation opens new avenues for cooperation and export in the Syrian cosmetics industry sector.
Abu Labdeh noted that Syria‘s presence within an exhibition hosting 1,400 exhibitors — including 806 international companies across 11 exhibition halls — demonstrates the ability of Syrian industries to re-enter regional and global markets despite the challenges they have faced.
Chamber board member Karim al-Khaja said in his remarks at the opening ceremony that the participation of Syrian companies sends a clear message that Syrian industry is returning to global markets after years of hardship. He stressed that Syrian industrialists had managed to maintain production under difficult conditions, and that quality, flexibility, and adaptability remain the key strengths of Syrian industry. Al-Khaja described the exhibition as an important opportunity to forge new partnerships and open export markets for national products, pointing to Syria’s industrial capabilities and strategic geographic location as assets that can strengthen its regional and international commercial presence.
Beauty Istanbul 2026, held at the Tüyap Exhibition Center from May 7 to 9, is ranked among the five largest beauty trade fairs in the world, drawing wide participation from international companies and brands specializing in beauty and personal care.
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