The first conference of the Arab Union for Productive Families and Handicraft and Traditional Industries kicks off in Damascus

Damascus, (ST) – With the participation of 15 Arab countries, the Arab Union for Productive Families and Handicrafts and Traditional Industries of the Council of Arab Economic Unity kicked off yesterday in Damascus, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

The axes of the conference sessions, which continue its work for 3 days at the Dama Rose Hotel, center on the reality of the work of productive families and handicraft and traditional industries within the current conditions and the mechanisms of small and microfinance and its direct impact on productive families and craft and traditional industries and the role of Arab unions in the process of supporting them.

The opening included a group of traditional songs presented by the National Arab Music Band led by Maestro Adnan Fathallah, a group of dances and songs representing Arab countries, and an introductory film about the union and the traditional industries of each country.

Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Muhammad Seif El-Din said in a statement that supporting productive families has a major role in light of the sanctions facing Syria and contributes of enhancing the elements of social stability. He said that the ministry provides all facilities in the field of supporting traditional industries and securing loans and training for craftsmen, which is reflected on the continuous development of their products.

The Head of the Arab Union for Productive Families and Handicrafts and Traditional Industries, Muhammad Abdul Baset Al-Qadah stressed the importance of supporting the traditional industries sector, especially as it occupies a large space in society and has an ancient history. “Traditional industries contribute to creating more job opportunities for these industries that characterize all Arab countries”, he added.

Member of the Board of Directors of the Arab Federation of Free Zones, Dr. Muhammad Abd Rabbo, highlighted the importance of coordination between all countries, especially with regard to facilitating their transit between countries.

In turn, the Head of the regional office of the union in Iraq, Firas Al-Hassan, explained that the focus in the next stage is on helping young people find more job opportunities and develop handicraft industries through a set of programs that help empower productive families so that they can build society.

For her part, member of the regional office in Yemen Asmaa Al-Mashreqi stressed the importance of exchanging experiences and developing training in cooperation with all countries in order to create a market for all productive families.

Member of the Board of Directors of the Federation, representative of Libya in the conference, Abdul Salam Al-Kiritli pointed out the importance of exporting the products of traditional industries in a way that helps support productive families and improve their quality.

Nadia Milad, a member of the Union in the Tunis office pointed to the importance of coordination between all countries and the need to hold joint exhibitions, especially since the cultures between the Arab countries are very close.

CEO of the Ebdaa Bank for Microfinance, Adib Sharafstressed the importance of going to the craft sectors which contributes of improving the income of productive families and enhancing their living situation.

Raghda Sawas