The Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Holds an Urgent Meeting to Discuss Several Issues

SadaNews - The Palestinian Union of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Chambers held an urgent meeting at the headquarters of the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday, Monday, July 14, 2025, with the participation of more than 130 members from the chambers in the northern governorates, in addition to the heads and members of the boards of directors of the commercial and industrial chambers in the southern governorates in the Gaza Strip and abroad via Zoom technology.

The meeting began with welcoming remarks from Abdel Ghani Al-Attari, Head of the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Chamber, and was opened by Abdu Idrees, Head of the Union, with a comprehensive speech that included many topics, achievements, and activities of the union at the local and international levels. Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of our people there, the President of the Union provided an overview of humanitarian activities and interventions to assist the industrial commercial chambers in Gaza to withstand the catastrophic conditions. Raed Abu Ramadan, Vice President of the Union of Chambers and Head of the Gaza Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with his colleagues from the southern governorates, provided an explanation of the general conditions in the Gaza Strip, where everyone stressed that the primary demand is an immediate ceasefire, the entry of humanitarian aid, commercial goods, and reconstruction.

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Abdu Idrees emphasized the challenges facing the Palestinian economy in general and the conditions in the West Bank due to the blockade, closures, and checkpoints, where there are more than 900 checkpoints and iron gates cutting across the West Bank, not to mention the daily assaults by settlers, which have led to a decline in economic performance, increased unemployment and poverty rates, and disrupted supply chains. He also discussed the subject of closing commercial crossings, particularly the Al-Karamah crossing, and following up on this matter with the relevant authorities due to its significant impact on factories, production, and operational cycles because of the obstruction of the flow of raw materials and essential consumer goods.

In addition to the above, the President of the Union informed the general assembly about the latest developments regarding the shekel crisis and cash deposits and their impact on the private sector and the homeland through daily follow-ups with our brothers in the Palestinian Monetary Authority, the Banking Association in Palestine, the currency exchange sector, and all relevant parties. The Union President noted that the instructions issued by the Monetary Authority are under follow-up and implementation according to what was agreed upon.

The activities and follow-ups with regional and international institutions for the Union were also reviewed, the latest of which was its contribution to supporting Palestine's membership as a "Observer State" in the International Labor Organization in full cooperation and partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Labor and the General Union of Palestinian Workers' Unions.

Regarding the agricultural commercial and industrial chambers, the independence of the work of private sector institutions was emphasized in accordance with their objectives and jurisdictions according to the governing regulations and laws, confirming that the industrial and agricultural sectors are priorities for the work of the agricultural commercial and industrial chambers as they are foundational to the economy, development, and our national and economic identity.

In conclusion, the participants reaffirmed the unity of the agricultural commercial and industrial chambers and their importance in supporting the national economy and serving the Palestinian people in all governorates, as well as cooperation and integration with all private sector institutions, especially with our brothers in the General Union of Palestinian Industries, and unifying their objectives in service of development for the higher national interest, delegating the Union President to take all necessary actions to maintain the existence of the agricultural commercial and industrial chambers and to make appropriate decisions.