Montreal’s board of trade hosted a job fair Monday to help Syrian refugees become more familiar with the local business scene.

About 100 newly arrived Syrians networked at the Delta Hotel at 475 President-Kennedy Ave. with representatives from 60 different companies.

The board of trade said the refugees have all types of expertise and now the opportunity to meet with IT companies, fashion and textile companies, the food and services industry and engineering firms as well.

There were also 25 translators on hand who work in Arabic, French and English so that refugees could better connect with employers.

Filmmaker Abeer Asber came to Montreal five months ago from Syria via Lebanon, and said that while she’s very happy to be here and very optimistic, she also felt some concern and impatience.

Asber said she is an educated and experienced filmmaker who wants to feel productive again.

“Five years earlier I was not able to do anything because of the war, and now I have a business that I have to restudy. Now I’m 43, so it’s difficult. I have a lot of experience, so it’s difficult to come back… to starting,” she said.

Board of trade president Michel Leblanc said he is pleased business communities answered his call to work with refugees.

“You have to start somewhere, be broad, be open, and then after that focus on the real job you want given your expertise, given your dreams. I think the message today for them is if they’re open, there will be jobs for them,” he said.

Leblanc said he expects to hold this kind of event again in four to six months, adding that some connections were made Monday and appointments were booked for further discussions.