While Nablus and Jenin became a focus of terrorist activity, the "Hebron Expo 2022" exhibition was held in Hebron this week, in which 70 Palestinian companies from the food and foodtech industry participated.
The exhibition opened its doors to entrepreneurs, manufacturers, businessmen and traders, who wish to invest in the food industry.
The purpose of the gathering is to encourage local production of different and varied types of food and beverages.
Representatives from various companies came from all the Palestinian cities, including many from the northern regions of Samaria, to present their products and get an impression of the developing innovations in the field.
"The convening of the conference comes at a time when the private sector is experiencing financial difficulties due to the increase in the prices of raw materials and fluctuations in the world market," said representatives from the Palestinian private sector on the sidelines of the conference.
"We want to develop the local industries mainly in the food sector so that they will be a good and strong alternative to the imported products, in terms of quality and price," said members of a delegation of public sector officials who visited the gathering.
Hebron presents: "Food Expo 2022"
A meeting point for business people
Emad Alhindi, the CEO of the Palestinian company "A-Taif" for the production of dairy products, explained that the company produces over 50 types of products, including the first line of dairy products without lactose, and even milk with vitamins. "This is a groundbreaking platform to learn about the developments the latest in the world of food, beverages and dairy products, and to build working and trading relationships, which gives us a great incentive to improve our products and produce competing products according to the needs of the market and what the consumer needs," said Alhindi.
The Palestinian dairy giant, "Aljunaydi", "Palestinian Tnuva", also presented the selection of cheeses it produces, from the famous Labna to the Kashkabal, Mozzarella and the special cheese for Kenapa that the "Halawiyat" merchants buy from it.
Hebron Expo.
70 Palestinian companies from the field of the food industry and foodtech participated, photo: Hebron Expo
A snack shop at the Hebron Food Exhibition.
Everyone involved in the food industry saw the convention as an opportunity to market themselves, photo: Hebron Expo
Everyone involved in the food industry saw the conference as an important opportunity to market themselves and create networking with entrepreneurs and professionals relevant to their field.
It was a meeting point that allowed company owners to talk directly with their counterparts, and exchange ideas that would pave the way for business development, and possible collaborations.
Decorated and shiny booths were placed in the exhibition that was spread over an area of 9 dunams.
The place became a pilgrimage destination not only for experts in the field but for the general public, and curious residents came to enjoy the experience.
The Palestinian public was invited to see up close the innovations and entrepreneurship developing in the field of food.
It was possible to receive explanations from local producers, importers and exporters about a variety of products, some of which are locally produced and some of which are imported from abroad.
"We supply coffee that is imported from several sources in the world in order to cover the shortages in the local market and meet its needs," said Amro, director of the "Vorud Amro Ahvan" company, which deals in marketing and grinding coffee and its products.
Amro explained that the company he owns is the only one in the Palestinian market that also manufactures machines for grinding coffee beans.
Cheese stalls in Hebron.
Despite the tensions in Jenin and Nablus, relative calm is maintained in the Hebron area, photo: Hebron Expo
rice stand
"The convening of the conference comes at a time when the private sector is experiencing financial difficulties due to the increase in the prices of raw materials and fluctuations in the world market", photo: Hebron Expo
The goal: to expand the base of Palestinian products
Hebron's "Food Expo" exhibition opened on Saturday and lasted for three days.
It was held under the auspices of the Palestinian Minister of Economy, Khaled Al-Sili, who was present at the launch event alongside the Governor of Hebron, representatives from the public and private sectors, and dignitaries of the city.
"The exhibition is a sign of the competitiveness of the local industries, and it is a good opportunity to present to the consumer the quality of the products of our market. We will soon formulate a national policy for the Palestinian industries, one that will meet the requirements to expand the production base in Palestine and increase the weight of the local industry in the national product, since this is the basic engine for employment and to reduce the rates of unemployment and poverty. I call on investors to come and invest in Palestine," said Elesili.
The entrance to the exhibition.
Decorated and shiny booths were placed in the exhibition that was spread over an area of 9 dunams, photo: Hebron Expo
From 2019 until today, more than 400 enterprises received a license from the Palestinian Ministry of Economy to operate in the territories of the Palestinian Authority, and their capital value is estimated at approximately 165 million dollars.
In Hebron there are dozens of factories for the production of food and other products, mainly textiles and footwear, which also find their way to Israeli markets.
Despite the tensions in Jenin and Nablus, relative calm was maintained in the Hebron area, a city that has always been the trading capital of the Palestinians.
The Palestinian Authority is trying to convey that despite the tensions and security escalation in northern Samaria, it is still working to strengthen the Palestinian economy.
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