Ministry of Industry Launches the "Sustainable Handicraft Village for Shoes and Leather" Project in Hebron with Italian Support and in Partnership with UNIDO

SadaNews - The Ministry of Industry launched the Sustainable Handicraft Village for Shoes and Leather project in the city of Hebron, in the presence of Minister of Industry Mr. Arafat Asfour, the Economic Development Program Officer at the Italian Cooperation Giuseppe Marano, the representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Ali Badarna, the head of the Leather Industries Union Amer Arfa, along with representatives from the Palestinian Polytechnic University, the Industrial Cities Authority, and a number of businessmen and investors in the industrial sector.

The minister Asfour emphasized that the project represents an inspiring model in building a productive and sustainable national economy based on knowledge and innovation, stating that the collaboration with the Palestinian Polytechnic University reflects the integration between applied education and the industrial sector.

He expressed his appreciation to the Italian government for its continued support for industrial development projects in Palestine, praising the constructive collaboration with UNIDO in developing clean production programs and building capacities. He also stressed that this project represents the first experience in establishing a dedicated industrial zone specializing in leather industries, enhancing the government's direction towards establishing qualitative industrial zones and encouraging investment in local production.

Asfour indicated that the ministry is working on reducing production costs through clean energy projects in industrial areas, supporting sustainable green production, noting the importance of recent government decisions that mandate the adoption of national products in public tenders and activating the national anti-dumping team, considering them as pillars for protecting national industries and enabling them to compete fairly.

For his part, Giuseppe Marano, the Economic Development Program Officer, renewed the Italian government's commitment to support the Palestinian industrial sector, as it is a fundamental pillar in bolstering the economy.

Meanwhile, UNIDO representative Ali Badarna talked about the importance of establishing a Ministry of Industry, as it will positively reflect on advancing the industrial sector.

The head of the Leather Industries Union Amer Arfa stated that the establishment of the leather and shoes village will contribute to strengthening local and sustainable development, as the profession of leather tanning will provide thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities.

During the visit, participants listened to technical presentations from the Ministry of Industry, the Industrial Cities Authority, UNIDO, and the handicraft village company, followed by an extensive discussion on the mechanisms for implementing the project and ways to sustain it, then a field tour at the "Hebron Works" leather industries exhibition, and several participating shoe factories within the project, including the Kamel factory and Spider Shoes factory.

The minister Asfour concluded the tour by affirming the Ministry of Industry's commitment to supporting every serious initiative that contributes to developing the industrial sector and building a strong and sustainable national economy, in partnership with the private sector and supporting international institutions.