The 54th Damascus International Fair will be opened on Wednesday with the participation of 45 countries including 10 Arab states, a Syrian official said on Sunday.

Director of the General Institution for International Markets and Fairs Imad al-Zoghbi said at a press conference the number of exhibitors reached 4,812, including 2,600 local participants.

He said the exhibition would occupy an area of 77,758 square meters.

"The Damascus International Fair comes first at the Arab fairs list due to its long history and good reputation in the region and the world," al-Zoghbi said.

For the first time, there will be a big Iraqi participation in the event as 21 companies will take part despite the deteriorating situation in Iraq, he said.

Unfortunately, Lebanon will not be able to participate this year because of the internal crisis, he said, adding that Lebanon did not attend the 2006 exhibition because of the Israeli war.

He said the Syrian government would exempt Palestinian exhibitors from any duties as part of Syria's support for the Palestinians.