Ramallah - Together - Within the policy of the management of the Plastic Industries Union of communication and networking with government institutions, with the aim of keeping government officials informed of industry developments and problems, the President of the Union, Kamel Al-Zir Al-Husseini, and Board Member Firas Shawar, in the presence of Economic Advisor Ahmed Hassouna, met with the Minister of Industry Arafat Asfour in His office in Ramallah. At the beginning of the meeting, the delegation praised the decision of President Mahmoud Abbas and the Prime Minister to create the Ministry of Industry in the current government. This ministry has been a demand for years for the private sector, as it will work to develop the national industry by harmonizing the laws and instructions issued to meet the needs of manufacturers in all sectors, in addition. for its other tasks. Al-Husseini gave a detailed explanation of the Palestinian plastic industries, in terms of the production capacity of their factories, w hich exceeds 800 tons per day, noting that production has decreased since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip by about 30%, and despite this decrease, the national factories have maintained their workforce, who Their number exceeds 12,500 male and female employees, stressing that the plastic industries sector is the second employer of labor in Palestine. He talked about the obstacles that hinder the development of the plastics industry, and called on the Minister of Industry to work to help industrialists and reduce the effects of the state of war, in addition to helping national products open new markets outside the country by activating the role of commercial attachés in Palestinian embassies in various countries of the world, and this It will push industrialists and businessmen to create new lines for their various productions, develop and grow, and this will reduce unemployment and poverty rates. Counselor Hassouna reviewed the reality of the Palestinian industrial and production sectors, the great a nd positive developments, and the success stories achieved by the national industry over the years, stressing the keenness of businessmen in Palestine to ensure that their products are of high and international quality, which qualifies them to export these products to countries around the world, citing some Products that are marketed in global markets, stressing the important role that the commercial attachés will play in our embassies around the world, and networking between our products and marketers in those countries. He touched on the talk about the industrial zone in Tarqumiya, noting that the efforts of previous governments did not bear fruit in bringing the zone into existence, expressing his hope, and the hope of the private sector, that the Ministry of Industry will speed up to overcome the obstacles to establishing the industrial zone, and bring it into effect, noting the great benefits that it brings. It will be harvested from this area. Counselor Hassouna praised Minister of Industry Arafat Asf our and his history of economic success stories, expressing his hope that his efforts in cooperation with the private sector will succeed and the national economy will flourish. He pointed out the importance of the Ministry of Industry and the relevant authorities following up on the various exhibitions held in countries around the world, while ensuring that national products participate in those exhibitions, in addition to holding specialized exhibitions for national industries in the countries whose markets are targeted, noting that the Palestinian factories whose administrations are keen to participate in some National products at international exhibitions opened new areas for exporting their products. For his part, Shawar spoke about the tremendous developments that the plastics industry has witnessed over the last decade, stressing that factory owners are always seeking to develop their profession and supply it with skilled labor, through education and training processes in cooperation with Palestine P olytechnic University. Minister Asfour expressed his happiness at this meeting, expressing his admiration for the Plastic Industries Federation and all specialized industrial unions, stressing that the Palestinian government and leadership attach great importance to the national industry, and he will work during the coming period in cooperation with the competent authorities to overcome the obstacles facing our national products. Source: Maan News Agency