Construction Industries Exhibition at Hebron Expo.. An Economic Sector Facing Demand Decline and Market Challenges

Hebron - Afaq News - The 2026 Construction Industries Exhibition was inaugurated in the city of Hebron, in its fifth edition, with the participation of dozens of Palestinian companies operating in various sectors of construction industries, in an event that brought together manufacturers, contractors, engineers, and specialists, attended by Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa and several ministers and official and public figures. The exhibition was organized in collaboration between the Engineers Syndicate and Hebron Expo.

The exhibition comes amid difficult economic conditions facing the Palestinian economy, which have reflected on the construction and real estate sector through a decline in demand for properties and a decrease in construction activity and permits. Those working in the sector believe that the exhibition represents a space to promote Palestinian products and enhance integration among various segments of the sector.

Rami Al-Natsheh, General Director of Hebron Expo, stated that organizing specialized exhibitions was one of the main objectives at the establishment of the exhibition, noting that the Construction Industries Exhibition is one of the largest specialized exhibitions at the national level and one of the largest specialized exhibitions hosted by Hebron Expo.

He explained that the exhibition includes multiple sectors of construction industries, including stone, marble, wood, iron, cameras, and others, pointing out that the opening of the exhibition witnessed the attendance of the Prime Minister, several ministers, official figures, ambassadors, and businessmen.

For his part, the head of the Engineers Syndicate, Engineer Tarek Al-Zaru, stated that the importance of the exhibition stems from the significance of the construction sector, which represents, according to his estimates, more than 20% of the Palestinian national economy, noting that holding the exhibition under these circumstances aims to highlight the Palestinian product and manufacturer.

Al-Zarou stated that the union seeks to gather both national and imported Palestinian products and specialists under one roof, which facilitates communication between various parties in the sector, emphasizing that the current phase requires more cooperation between the Palestinian economic and professional sectors.

The President of the Palestinian Federation of Industries, Nassar Nassar, also said that the exhibition represents a model of integration between industry, contractors, and engineers, pointing out an agreement that took place about a year and a half ago between the Federation of Industries, the Engineers' Union, and the Contractors' Union to enhance this direction.

Nassar stated that the message carried by the exhibition is a "message of resilience and construction," noting that the participating Palestinian industrial companies are capable of contributing in the future to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

He added that the integration between the manufacturing capacities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip's need for reconstruction could open the door for Palestinian economic cooperation, saying: "We have excess manufacturing, and we have excess labor there, and God willing, we won't need anyone and we will build our country."

The demand for real estate has declined.

On the other hand, real estate and construction sector activist Youssef Kamal Hassouna presented a more difficult picture of the market reality, indicating a decline in demand for real estate in the West Bank by about 40%, according to the studies and research he relied on, in addition to a decrease in building permits by about 20% in various governorates of the West Bank.

Hassouna attributed this to the decline in the entry of workers to work inside, with more than 200,000 workers losing their jobs there, alongside the ongoing salary crisis for employees and the restrictions imposed on lending and credit facilities for real estate.

He stated that these factors have directly reflected on the local market and the construction sector, calling on the Palestinian Authority to adopt large housing projects that could provide job opportunities for tens of thousands of workers, alongside providing housing for youth and citizens with affordable installments and long terms.

Hassouna suggested benefiting from Arab and international funding institutions and funds to finance such projects, pointing to previous experiences and agreements in this regard.

He also proposed the idea of expanding construction in areas classified as "A" and "B", considering that construction could be one of the economic pathways to confront settlement expansion in areas classified as "C", in addition to stimulating demand for Palestinian construction industries.

Hebron.. Economic Activity and a Political Message

Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin stated that holding a specialized exhibition of this size in Hebron reflects the existence of a strong and advanced Palestinian private sector, considering that the continued organization of such events paves the way for more specialized exhibitions in the governorate.

Logistics coordinator for the Hebron Expo, Ahmad Hassouna, explained that the 2026 Construction Industries Exhibition brought together various sectors of the construction industry at a time when the Palestinian market is facing a decline in demand, liquidity, and job opportunities. Participants in the exhibition raised the issue of enhancing reliance on local industry and linking it with contractors, engineers, housing projects, and reconstruction, which in turn will help revive the economic wheel.

For his part, the Mayor of Hebron, Youssef Al-Jaabari, stated that the governorate has witnessed extensive activity in recent months, noting that these activities have economic, social, and environmental dimensions, in addition to a political aspect.

Al-Jaabari clarified that the political goal is to bring Hebron back onto the map and to establish a clear plan to confront settlement and settlement schemes by enhancing the city's presence and its economic activity.