ISTANBUL After seven years of operating discreetly in exile, the National Syria Gathering held its first conference in Damascus under government auspices and in the presence of over 100 Syrian businessmen from inside and outside the country. The conference, opened by Finance Minister Mohamed Abazid, addressed vital issues related to education, health, technology, and the economy from Feb. 27 to March 2. New economic vision and promised reforms The conference was opened by Abazid, who emphasized