Minister of Economy discusses economic conditions in Qalqilya Governorate

Qalqilya - Ma'an - Minister of National Economy Mohammad al-Amour inspected the economic situation in Qalqilya Governorate on Sunday and addressed the challenges and problems facing the governorate according to the available capabilities. 50 shops have been completely closed due to the Israeli occupation measures since the start of the comprehensive aggression against our people in Gaza and the West Bank on October 7. The governorate suffered economic losses, especially after the occupation closed the military checkpoint designated for the entry of Palestinian workers into the 1948 territories, in addition to the high unemployment rates after the occupation closed the labor market inside and the sharp decline in economic activity. The economic activities informed the minister, during the meeting held at the headquarters of the Qalqilya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about the challenges facing the steadfastness of citizens and the private sector, with the participation of Qalqilya Governor Hussam Abu Ha mdeh, and representatives of institutions in the public and private sectors and civil society institutions. The activities stressed the need to simplify drug registration procedures, the importance of improving marketing and promoting products and opening new markets for export products, encouraging investment and simplifying licensing procedures, fair competition, and enabling companies to obtain international certificates. The activities pointed out the importance of directing planned investment, and identifying the target foreign markets for national exports. In this context, the ministry team explained the procedures adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture in the marketing process through the marketing company, and this applies to the avocado season. The activities stressed the need to provide protection for national products that would help farmers and producers and cooperate in combating smuggling. The Ministry's team stressed the importance of benefiting from the privileges provided by trade agreeme nts in favor of national exports, the latest of which was the entry into force of the partnership agreement with Brazil. The Ministry's team explained that there will be a unified quota system to better organize the sector, continuous improvement in the legislative environment and services, and soon electronic registration of companies will be launched, an e-commerce law will be completed, and work will be done to complete the single window for licenses. The Minister stressed the importance of the visit and vaccinations that come within the framework of communicating with various sectors and standing on their concerns and problems and finding solutions within the available capabilities in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression since last October. The Minister stressed that partnership is the real lever to confront the challenges we are going through, and to crystallize the necessary measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens as a result of the occupation's policies and procedures. The Minister added, "We will make every possible effort to enhance the steadfastness of citizens and to feel an improvement in services in various fields, and to respond quickly to the complaints they submit." The Minister spoke about efforts to encourage investment. The Minister briefed the economic activities on the government's programme and agenda, which includes providing relief to our people in the Gaza Strip, confronting the repercussions of the Israeli aggression on all components of the economic sectors, and moving forward with the reform programme, which is a fundamental pillar in improving services in various fields. Qalqilya Governor Hussam Abu Hamdeh said that the governorate is being subjected to unprecedented measures and targeting of the infrastructure, which has had a negative impact on all sectors, given that it is a governorate that depends on the agricultural sector. He added, "The governorate was targeted before last October, and the settlement expansion is an attempt by the occupation to transfer the cr ime from the interior to the governorate. It is experiencing complex circumstances after the aggression, and here there is a major struggle in the settlement project and demolition operations." The governor stressed that the exceptional situation of Qalqilya Governorate due to the racist wall and the strict siege imposed on it requires that it be given importance in the government's programs, especially in the matter of industrial and craft cities, pointing out the necessity of establishing a special industrial zone for the governorate due to the state of overcrowding and high population density resulting from the construction of the racist separation wall. In turn, Tariq Shawer, Chairman of the Qalqilya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the importance of meeting and listening to the issues and concerns of economic activities and building on this constructive dialogue in addressing the problems and formulating appropriate measures to revive the current economic situation. The Minister and the acco mpanying delegation inspected a number of factories and commercial establishments in the city of Qalqilya, during which they were briefed on the production lines and the competitiveness of this promising industry. Source: Maan News Agency