Khaled Osaily. خالد العسيلي رئيس بلدية الخيل السابق خالد العسيلي
Hebron Mayor Khaled Osaily met on Saturday morning with Mr. Erik Belfrage, Chairman of the International Council of Swedish Industry and with Mr. Johan Genneby, Programme Director at the Council. The meeting was attended by members from Hebron’s Municipal Council, municipality employees as well as by the Chairman of the Hebron Businessmen Forum Mr. Ghazi Al Hirbawi.
This meeting was organized by businessman Nafeth Al Hirbawi, Chairman of the Businessmen Coordination Council which is hosting the Swedish delegation. Before visiting the Municipality and meeting with its Mayor, the delegation had visited the Old City of Hebron and the Ibrahimi Mosque.
During the meeting, Mayor Osaily spoke about the suffering of Palestinians in Hebron due to occupation as well as about the closure of shops and homes due to the presence of a handful of settlers in the heart of the city and their continuous aggressions against Palestinian civilians under the very eye and protection of Israeli soldiers. He also spoke about the huge efforts made by Hebron Municipality to develop the city’s facilities and infrastructure as well as to enhance the economic standards and the living conditions of Palestinians. The Chairman of the International Council of Swedish Industry praised the Municipality for the quality of services provided to the local population.
Hebron’s economic importance and its contribution to the National Palestinian economy and to the Palestinian GNP were also discussed. Hebron is known for its various industries mainly the stone and marble industry and the paper industry. It also hosts numerous metal, pottery and ceramics manufactories in addition to a number of food industries. Hebron Mayor called on the Chairman of the Swedish Council to further cooperation between Swedish and Palestinian businessmen and to strengthen trade ties between Palestine and Sweden.
The visiting delegation then toured Hebron Municipality’s departments to get better acquainted with services provided to Palestinians. Mr. Belfrage commended the Municipality’s excellent Organizational Development as well as e-services provided to customers with view to facilitating administrative procedures.
