The Microfinance Department in Gaza organized its first trade fair to display products and services of micro-enterprises run by Palestinians benefiting from UNRWA Microfinance loans.
The trade fair took place under the patronage of the Deputy Commissioner-General of the UNRWA, Sandra Mitchell, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Microfinance Department in UNRWA.
The fair saw participants display their products and services to the broader community in Gaza, including customers, potential partners and traders. It further allowed them to build new partnerships with similar business owners, as well as interact with other financial institutions to discuss expanding their businesses.
41 products and service in the first trade fair of UNRWA Microfinance Department in #Gaza https://t.co/lwBirHVQvs pic.twitter.com/memRPSY51l
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) July 20, 2016
The fair was attended by Senior UNRWA staff, donor representatives, and representatives of international organizations in Gaza and of industry unions in Palestine.
UNRWA targets the needs of the entrepreneurial and unbanked sector of the community, including low-income Palestine refugees and working class families, allowing them a chance to improve their living conditions and provide for health and educational needs of their families.
As it is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, the UNRWA Programme Budget operates with a large shortfall, projected for 2016 to stand at US$ 74 million.
(PC, MEMO)
