The 16th Al-Bassel Exhibition for Creativity and Invention kicked off on Sunday at the Patents Center in Damascus. The three-day event is organized by the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection in association with the Syrian Inventors Society and the General Establishment of Markets and the General of the Public Establishment of Fairs and Exhibitions. During the opening ceremony, Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Minister Samir Qadi Amin said that the exhibition seeks to support inventors and help them receive international recognition. Qadi Amin said that his ministry's property protection department is ready to receive and implement any valuable invention or innovation. In turn, Education Minister Hazwan al-Waz said that inventors of various ages are participating in the exhibition which represents a chance to let the world see the innovations of Syrians. For his part, Higher Education Minister Malek Ali said that Syria's innovative youth proved to be indomitable and that their will to live is stronger than terrorism. Similarly, Economy and Foreign Trade Minister Khedr Orfali stressed the need to link innovation to investment, noting that the exhibition is a valuable opportunity for showcasing inventions and introducing them to investors. In turn, exhibition director Yasser Sa'ada said that the 16th iteration of the exhibition now includes a national contest for creativity and invention which will provide valuable prizes to winners.