STORY: Economic hardships remain despite bustling Damascus markets before Ramadan
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 27, 2025
DATELINE: March 1, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:24
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the markets
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NAAMA, Damascus resident
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AHMAD AL-HALLAQ, Damascus resident
4. various of the markets

STORYLINE:

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, people swamp the streets of Bab Srijeh, one of Damascus' oldest popular markets. Despite the busy crowds, consumer purchasing power remains weak due to prolonged economic hardships.

Merchants say that sales are sluggish as many Syrians struggle to afford basic goods. Customers spend most of their time asking about prices rather than making purchases.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): NAAMA, Damascus resident
"The prices are very high compared to our income, and money is simply not available in the country. Prices have slightly decreased, but the economic situation remains difficult."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AHMAD AL-HALLAQ, Damascus resident
"People might endure (the economic strain) four or five more months, but beyond that, it will be very difficult. We accept everything that has happened, but the economic situation is not good, and people are exhausted."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)