http://www.buildexonline.comThe latest news and journals from all over the world.Copyright 2008 - 2009 buildexonline.com. All rights reserved. Looking for investments Opportunities and after a successful participation in The International Healthcare Exhibition, The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) represented by Taiwan Trade Centre in Dubai has participated in the 16th edition of the International Exhibition For Construction BUILDEX held at the New Fairgrounds in Damascus, organized by the Arabian Group for Exhibitions and conferences. The Taiwanese participation is the first National participation in Syria represented by 18 companies, covering various products from the construction and building industry. Mrs, Claire Huang, sales manager of YIH TAI plastic Industry Co. for Interior and garden Doors said that” BUILDEX is a gateway http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1445817-5-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1445717-5-2010According to the leading international magazine “ENR- Engineering News Record”, with 23 companies among the top 225 contracting companies, Turkey ranked third in the world after the USA and China in 2008. Also, in 2008, Turkish companies undertook 562 projects in abroad. The Total value of these projects was 23.6$ billion. This year, the 16th edition of the International Exhibition for Construction BUILDEX 2010 has a large Turkish national participation represented by 110 companies along with Ankara Chamber of Commerce which reflects http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1443714-5-2010Under the patronage of Syrian Prime Minister Eng. Mohammad Naji Al-Otri, the 16th edition of the International Exhibition for Construction BUILDEX 2010 held yesterday evening at the new fairground in Damascus. Minister of Local Administration Eng. Tamer al-Hija attended the opening ceremony as a representative of the Prime Minister, accompanied by Mr.Zahid Haj Mousa, Governor of Damascus rural, Arab and foreign ambassadors, companies managers and businessmen. Eng. al-Hija praised the significant size of the participation in the exhibition this year both local and regional one, which emphasized the competitiveness of the Syrian industry especially in the building materials and construction tools as he said. He pointed out the importance of such exhibition in supporting business conventions and investments since Syrian government has launched the law of Property Investment & Development No. 15 http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1443113-5-2010Under the patronage of Syrian Prime Minister Eng. Mohammad Naji Al-Otri, the 16th edition of the International Exhibition for Construction BUILDEX 2010 is going to start this evening in the new fairground in Damascus. Mr. Alaa Hilal, CEO of Arabian Group for Exhibitions and Conferences, confirmed that BUILDEX 2010 is setting yet another new record in number and size of participants and exhibition space respectively, and in positioning itself as a leading specialized exhibition in construction industry in the Arab region, as this year there are more than 759 companies from 57 countries representing 2,188 local and international http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1441412-5-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=143949-5-2010The Commercial Counselor of Turkish Embassy in Damascus, Shaaban Gan Ozdemir said that “The International Building Exhibition "Buildex" has become one of the leading exhibitions in the region today that attracts most of Turkish companies which want to invest in the Syrian and neighboring Market to participate in the exhibition the main gate to enter these markets”. Mr. Ozdemir added that Turkish participation this year reflects the deep interest of Turkish businessmen to enter the Syrian market. The National Turkish participation in BUILDEX2010 is represented by 110 companies cover most of exhibition departments. In addition to the participation of Ankara Chamber of Commerce and the participation of Syrian companies as agents or distributor of Turkish products in Syria. Mr. Ozdemir expected more than 3000 visitors from Turkey only visiting BUILDEX2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=143938-5-2010Attended by a number of commercial and economical attachés and representatives of Arab and foreign embassies in Damascus and media reporters, Arabian Group for Exhibitions and Conferences held a press conference at Damascus Family Club addressing the forthcoming 16th International Exhibition for Construction BUILDEX 2010 which will be inaugurated under the patronage of Syrian Prime Minister Eng. Mohammad Naji Al-Otri. Mr. Alaa Hilal, CEO of Arabian Group for Exhibitions and Conferences inaugurated the conference by welcoming the attendees and thanking them for their support and presence to discover the latest development of BUILDEX 2010 exhibitionhttp://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=143684-5-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1433329-4-2010A delegation of Italian businessmen representing 12 companies specialized in furnishings has visited The International Exhibition for Furniture & Interior Design “Furniture Show” which held annually from 26 April till 30 April in the new fairground in Damascus. The visit comes in the context of numerous meetings between Syrian and Italian businessmen organized by Damascus Chamber of Commerce, in order to benefit from the inviting http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1433229-4-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1429125-4-2010BUILDEX International Exhibition is the largest and the most distinguished leading exhibition in the region in the field of construction and real-estate, as it became a portal for international companies targeting not only the Syrian market but the regional and Arab markets because it covers a wide range of construction specialties. Mr.Mhd Hammoud , the General Director- of Public Establishment for International Fairs and Exhibitions has explained the importance of Buildex http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1427924-4-2010The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) represented by Taiwan Trade Centre in Dubai has participated in the 12th edition of The International Healthcare Exhibition held at the New Fairgrounds in Damascus, organized by the Arabian Group for Exhibitions and conferences. Mr. Jay Sarmiento, Trade Promotion Executive, talked about the centre participation in Healthcare Exhibition as a tool to explore the Syrian market opportunities and to strengthen trade relationships between Taiwan and Syrian and in the region also. Mr. Sarmiento said that many Taiwan companies are looking forward to exam the Syrian market opportunities in medical equipments sector and all other economical sectors. He emphasized the Centre participation in next Exhibition “Buildex” which is going to be held next month and organized by Arabian Group for Exhibitions and conferences. Mr. Sarmiento pointed out the high level of exhibition organization, as there were three exhibitions held at the same time and organized the Arab Group for Exhibitions and conferences, Healthcare- dental care and Syria Lap, which provide an important opportunity for visitors to select from a wide range of products and give the participants an important http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1424219-4-2010The Middle East's construction sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.5% through 2015, surpassing growth rates in the European and North American markets. In the Gulf alone, around 70% of registered projects are still under construction, with an additional 10% in the concept and design stages. Major business and investment opportunities within the region's thriving construction and real estate markets will be unveiled during Buildex 2010, the 16th International Exhibition for Construction, running from May 12 to 16, 2010 at the Damascus International Fairgrounds in Syria. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1415211-4-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=141015-4-2010A Turkish trade delegation expressed desire of the Turkish companies to invest in Syria in the field of programming and electronics. The delegation's remarks came during a meeting with members of Damascus Chamber of Commerce on Sunday. Zafer Ipekci, Head of the Turkish delegation representing the Programming and Electronics Industry Committee at Istanbul Chamber of Commerce said the Turkish electronics companies are interested in establishing partnerships with their Syrian counterparts and exchanging expertise and ideas to promote bilateral cooperation. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=141005-4-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1400428-3-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1400328-3-2010The agricultural sector is a key element in Syrian economy, producing more than a third of the GDP and providing job opportunities to over 28% of the Syrian workforce. In addition, the abundance of fertile land for cultivation in Syria caused the food industries to flourish, making Syria one of the leading exporters and producers of alimentary products in the region. According to Director General of the Export Promotion and Development Agency Hussam al-Yousef noted that Syrian food products are renowned for their quality and flavor. He said that Syria's recent fruit production averaged at around 2,108 million tonshttp://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1400228-3-2010Assistant Regional Secretary of the Baa'th Arab Socialist Party (BASP), Mohammad Said Bukhitan, reviewed here today with Turkey's State Minister for Media Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, media cooperation relations between Syria and Turkey. The talks focused at the coordination of joint efforts in all fields, with particular focus at Media field in bolstering of friendship bonds between the Syrian and Turkish People, highlighting the positive developments witnessed in the Syrian-Turkish relationship, not to mention the importance of historical, cultural, and social bonds.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=137572-3-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=137562-3-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=135589-2-2010Governor of the Central Bank of Syria Dr. Adib Mayyala said a precise estimation of inward and outward investment will help provide more precise evaluation of national payment balance and form a basis for laying out future plans for Syrian national economy. The remarks came during a "Seminar on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)" held in Damascus on Tuesday with the participation of a number of Arab countries, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Middle East Technical Assistance Center (METAC). Dr. Mayyala said FDI has surfaced as a promising solution to get out of the current economic recession, where most countries are now looking for strategies to stimulate their national economies and attract foreign investment. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=135579-2-2010The Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS) launched its new ‘Fair Loan’ on December 15.The Fair Loan is available for a period of between 15 and 25 years at an interest rate of 2 to 3 percent. Instead of a down payment, borrowers deposit an amount equivalent to 40 percent of the loan in an account at the bank, which will accrue a lower rate of interest. According to a statement on the bank’s website this should cover six years’ repayments in most cases, which is the average time it takes to resolve a dispute through the courts. The bank has allocated SYP 30bn (USD 660m) for the new loan. The Fair Loan targets the middle classes; eligible groups include civil servants, private-sector employees with social security and members of professional syndicates, such as doctors, engineers and pharmacists, provided they can show income tax returns for the past three years.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1338124-1-2010Atlas of the Old city of Damascus and 'Damascus Features' film are launched at the Regional Center for Sustainable Development in Prince Abdul Qader al-Jazaeri Palace, within the framework of the integrated plan to maintain the heritage and development in the old city of Damascus, in presence of Vice President Najah al-Attar. The Atlas is the first document covering all aspects of the daily life, construction and development in the city. It includes a wide data base in the construction field and an integrated study in documenting the old city of Damascus and its construction. It includes four sections on the historical development of Damascus city and the existing historical buildings. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1331118-1-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1331018-1-2010http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=13180Syria and Turkey signed on Wednesday 50 agreements and memos of understanding and a work program for joint cooperation at the end of the first meeting of the High Level Syrian-Turkish Strategic Cooperation Council between the two countries. Agreements signed include cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, security, agriculture, irrigation, weather forecasting, finance, health, industry, media, transport, culture, oil, electricity, higher education, environment, education, local administration, communication and planning. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1303628-12-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1296021-12-2009The name Ain Al-Fijeh is instantly familiar to any Damascene. The village in the Barada Valley takes its name from one of the area’s most famous springs which, in turn, lends its name to one of the country’s most famous brands of mineral water. The factory is state-owned and operated, employs 52 people, and turned a profit of SYP 20m (around USD 44,000) last year. In this respect, the Ain Al-Figeh Water Bottling Factory is a pretty unusual state-owned business in Syria – it is not losing money. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) continue to constitute a substantial segment of the Syrian economy. They account for around 30 percent of added value in the mining and manufacturing sectors, make up 10 percent of industrial Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employ 80,000 people. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1295921-12-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1287913-12-2009An agreement on financial cooperation was signed on Friday by Syrian visiting Finance Minister Dr. Mohammad al-Hussein and French Minister of Economy, Finance and Employment Mrs. Christine Lagarde. A memorandum of understanding derived from the agreement was also inked with the French Paul company to automate the tax system in Syria.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1287813-12-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1287712-12-2009Syria’s economic growth slowed to 4.5 percent last year, dragged down by a severe drought and the global financial crisis, the government said in a report published in the state-run Al-Thawra newspaper on October 12. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=127866-12-2009The Syrian Arab Republic is a longtime pal of Iran that was once castigated by George W. Bush as part of the Axis of Evil. But like John le Carré's legendary spy, it may be ready to come in from the cold. This would be no minor event for peace and prosperity, and it if happens, the prime mover will be Syria's young president, Bashar al-Assad. The road to peace in the Middle East runs straight through Damascus. As Henry Kissinger once said, you can't make war without Egypt or peace without Syria, and his statement is just as true today as it was then.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=127271-12-2009Head of the Federation of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce Mohammad al-Qallaa called for boosting integration with Egypt in the fields of tourism, textiles and agricultural industries. During talks with an Egyptian trade delegation on Sunday, al-Qallaa urged Syrian and Egyptian businessmen to promote inter-trade, stressing the need for cooperation in the banking sector as a key tool for activating trade. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1267824-11-2009The national investment map will contribute in showing the various natural sources in Syria in scientific way which leads to better exploitation, correct planning and offering the objective substitutes for investors. The Syrian Investment Commission (SIC) is working in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program UNDP on establishing this map which will be issued next year in several languages. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1262318-11-2009It emerges from the ground like a budding Damascus rose: tightly wrapped petals overlap and frame the exterior of the building, while the interior is bathed in bright light. Welcome to the Massar Rose, an interactive children’s museum taking shape on the site of the former fairgrounds in central Damascus. Project backers say the centre will enrich the capital with an iconic building, attracting visitors from around the globe. Others, however, are yet to be convinced, saying the radical design is out of place in the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1258915-11-2009The 15th Information and Communications Technology Exhibition (SHAAM-2009) was opened in Damascus on Wednesday with the participation of 729 trade marks from 42 countries. The five-day event is held by the Syrian Computer Society (SCS) and organized by the Arab Group for Exhibitions.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1256911-11-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1241929-10-2009The fifth session of the international industrial exhibition "Big 4 Show" was opened yesterday evening, with the participation of 293 local brands and companies from 26 Arab and International countries. The exhibition which is going to be continued till 31 October includes several industrial sectors such as: packaging, printing, energy and electricity industry, Safety and Security Industrial System, Industrial machinery, automation and production lines - plastic and rubber -. In addition to a special department for Syrian engineering industries, which is sponsored by the Technology Development Centerhttp://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1241629-10-2009Syria, the land of civilizations and history, is rife with ancient monuments that tell the stories of the many peoples and civilizations that lived in it, whose stories endured in the face of time to tell humanity about their greatness. "Beneath every footstep in Syria is an ancient civilization," says Archaeologist Markus Gschwind, head of the Syrian-German Archaeology Expedition working at al-Rafina in Hama. He notes that this saying is repeated around Germany, as most Germans consider Syria the most historically deep-rooted country in the Mediterranean. In a statement to SANA, Gschwind said that he has been living and excavating in Syria for six years, each day discovering many secrets from the history of mankind. He said that the expedition is currently undertaking surveying the ancient city of al-Rafina, which was one of the largest gathering points of Roman armies during the Roman era. Excavations in the area began in 2005 with the purpose of making an archeological map of the old city, detailing the various buildings, fortifications, streets, temples, camps and burial grounds, all of which are still buried beneath the earth. Gschwind underlined the historic significance of al-Rafina, which was mentioned in ancient Roman texts as the birthplace of Roman emperor Elagabalus and other Roman emperors of Syrian descent, mainly the children of Julia Domna, emperors Geta and Caracalla. Surveys in 2005 revealed the remains of pillars, burial grounds, walls and clay objects, with further surveys using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) serving to make an accurate map of the site, which will help facilitate and reduce the costs of future expeditions Gschwind said. He went on to note that the ancient city is divided into two areas. The larger area was situated at the crossing of two ancient Roman roads, and included a circular Roman camp and a city surrounding it. The second area dates back to an older time period, with estimates suggesting that it was occupied before the Hellenistic period. According to Gschwind, the city's strategic position in the center of Syria allowed it to be the headquarters of the Legio III Gallica, the largest group of Roman forces in the area and the first line of defense against the Persian Empire from the first to the third century AD. One of the most important historic events in the city took place in 218 AD, when the soldiers of the Legio III Gallica elected Varius Avitus Bassianus, also known as Elagabalus, as emperor. In the Byzantine era, a clerical headquarters affiliated to Apamea was established in the city, which all witnessed a war between the Byzantines and the Persians. The people of the city where forced to abandon it during the first Crusade in 1098 AD, and later fell into the Crusaders' hands during the 12th century. King Fulk of Jerusalem was also surrounded by Muslim forces in the city, which fell under the rule of the Ayyubid dynasty and became part of Hama. Gschwind concluded by noting that the distinguishing point between Syrian archeological sites and European ones is that the Romans used to build their cities in Syria on the ruins of older cities, as opposed to building new cities as they did in Europe, which is why ancient Syrian cities are so deep-rooted and date back to much older times that their European counterparts. http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=12372http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1237125-10-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1237025-10-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=121434-10-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=12142Syria TodayThe industrial modernization and development program in Syria enters the second phase by 2010 after most of the goals which were set at the program's launching in May 2007 have been achieved. The program, which sought to modernize 36 textile companies, from both private and public sectors, has realized material and non-material achievements, said Fouad Laham, the program's national director. On the non-material level, the program has created a new concept for the government, private sector and the partners on working to modernize textile industries not theoretically but in practicehttp://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=121414-10-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=121404-10-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1204328-9-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1204228-9-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1204128-9-2009Official statistics showed an increase in the value of direct foreign investments flow to Syria during 2008, reaching USD 1,282 billion. The number of foreign investment projects included in the Encouragement of Investment Law hit 243 with a capital totaled S.P. 692,7 billion or 43 percent of the total value of the included investment projects estimated at USD 1,187 billion during 2008 compared to USD 898 million in 2007http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1198023-9-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1195619-9-2009http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1195519-9-2009Syria ranked among the top five countries which registered high levels of unprecedented growth in attracting foreign investments, according to the annual report of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1195419-9-2009Gulfsands Petroleum company announced Thursday that the accumulative crude oil total production of Sharq Kharbat well in sector /26/ to the northeast of Syria exceeded 4 million barrels a year.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1190014-9-2009Syria comes third in the Arab citrus production after Egypt and Morocco, and the http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=1189914-9-2009Syria won the first ranks at the 7th International Europe Genius Fair which was organized in Budapest. 324 scientific inventions from 24 countries competed in the fair . The Syrian inventor Mohammed Imad al-Droubi won the European Invention Cup and ranked first in the Genius Fair.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=11898British-Syrian Society holds Private and Public Sectors Partnership Conference at the directives of Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdallah al-Dardari.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=118156-9-2009Syria is committed to protecting the environment and the joint environmental international work through joining and ratifying the environmental agreements such as the framework convention on climate changes," Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Kawkab Dayeh said on Saturday.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=118146-9-2009Syria and Venezuela signed Thursday a number of agreements and memos of understanding for cooperation in the fields of economy, agriculture, culture, health, environment, sport and diplomacy. Syrian Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Adel Safar and the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicholas Maduro signed two memoshttp://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=118136-9-2009rivate investment in 2008 reached S.P.440 billion, while it was S.P.401 billion in 2007, government's report on economy in 2008 said. It clarified that private sector's contribution in total investment reached 68% in 2008, and it was 67.3% in 2007.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=117833-9-2009According to Syria news com (August 31, 2009), a recently released report by the Central bank of Syria shows that the total number of branches run by the Real Estate Bank of Syria at 22 branches by April 2009.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=117823-9-2009President of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce Mohammed Ghassan al-Qallaa discussed on Tuesday with a delegation of Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by Christodoulos Angastinyouc means of developing and consolidating economic relations between the two countries.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=117813-9-2009Syrian Islamic Insurance Company starts officially its activities on September 7th at its new Damascus- based headquarters in Abu Rummana.http://www.buildexonline.com/buildexonline2009/detail.asp?id=117803-9-2009