Hebron, 15 October 2025 – The Italian Cooperation, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Palestinian Ministry of Industry, launched the project “Developing an Energy-Sustainable Shoe Village in Hebron for the Decarbonization and Sustainable Development of the Footwear Value Chain.”
Funded by the Italian Cooperation with a total investment of 4.2 million euros, the three-year initiative aims to establish a modern, sustainable, and innovative production cluster for the Palestinian footwear sector, a historical pillar of Hebron’s economy and one of the excellences of Italian manufacturing. Implemented by UNIDO, the project will provide essential infrastructure, advanced technologies, and training facilities to enhance production efficiency while reducing the environmental impact of industrial processes.
The ceremony took place at the Leather and Shoe Centre in Hebron, in the presence of Mr. Arafat Asfour, Minister of Industry; Mr. Giuseppe Marano, Programme Officer for the Economic Development Sector at the Italian Cooperation; Mr. Ali Badarneh, Head of the Economic Development Programme at UNIDO; and Mr. Amer Arafa, Chairman of the Federation of Leather and Footwear Industries. Representatives from Palestine Polytechnic University, the Palestinian Industrial Estates and Free Zones Authority, and several entrepreneurs and investors from the industrial sector also attended.
Beyond its economic objectives, the Hebron Shoe Village carries a strong social and developmental dimension, promoting skills development, sustainable practices, and inclusive employment opportunities for both women and men in the sector. It represents, furthermore, an excellent opportunity to connect the Palestinian productive sector with its Italian counterparts, establishing business opportunities and creating synergies and collaborations among different public and private institutions.
The initiative is particularly innovative as it establishes the first private sector–owned industrial zone in Palestine, serving as a model to encourage public–private partnerships as a key driver of sustainable industrial development.
During the ceremony, participants attended technical presentations from the Ministry of Industry, the Industrial Estates and Free Zones Authority, UNIDO, and the company which will be in charge of managing the Village, followed by a field visit to local shoes producers and leather showrooms.
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