In 1996, local promoters held a number of new trade shows in both Damascus and Aleppo. U.S. computer firms participated successfully in a number of these shows. In the last three years the privately sponsored SIFA fair has emerged as the most significant general trade show in Syria. It has attracted a growing number of U.S. and foreign firms. A list of Syrian trade events and trade show promoters can be found in Appendix E. The Embassy actively promotes Syrian participation in U.S. trade shows.
Syrian consumers are very price conscious.
U.S. firms considering the Syrian market are advised to review every component in the pricing process. Syrian importers interested in buying U.S. products often complain about the high cost of transporting products from the U.S. to Syria relative to transportation costs from Europe. In a country where technical skills are scarce, companies offering responsive, reliable, and competent customer service establish strong reputations which help to increase their sales. Many public sector companies continue to favor barter arrangements that are not attractive to U.S. suppliers. On the other hand, barter agreement is sometimes requested for certain commodities in exchange for Syrian rock-phosphate.