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A delegation of representatives from Palestinian tech companies were welcomed to the ABCC on the evening of 14 June 2023.
They were in London to participate in and exhibit at London Tech Week, held between 12 and 16 June. The tech week is now the UK’s largest and most influential tech event. LTW saw its 10th anniversary this year.
Among delegation were many new start-ups, established companies and tech entrepreneurs. They were warmly welcomed at the ABCC premises and held a series of discussions with guests at the reception that followed to introductory speeches.
Heading the delegation was H E Mr Khaled Osaily, the Minister of National Economy at the Palestine Economic Ministry, who has been in post since April 2019. He delivered an extensive briefing on the numerous successes of Palestine’s economy in different sectors.
The minister and members of the delegation held private discussions on joint working and cooperation with Mr Bandar Reda, CEO & Secretary General and Mr Abdeslam El-Idrissi, Deputy CEO & Secretary General.
The Minister later told a packed reception in the ABCC’s board room that the economy remained robust and highly competitive despite the well-known impediments that Palestinian private and public sector companies all faced. In particular, Mr Osaily praised the tech sector for its consistent growth and dynamism.
Mr Osaily also chairs the Palestinian Investment Promotion and Industrial Estate Agency (IPIEA) and has a background as a successful business executive in the private sector. He paid tribute to Palestinians for their exceptional entrepreneurship, a sentiment reiterated by all the speakers.
Joining the delegation was Mr Feras Nasr, Innovation Manager for the UK Palestinian Tech Hub, who spoke about the cooperation between the UK government and Palestine to develop the tech sector.
Ambassador H E Dr Husam S Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom, also accompanied the delegation on their visit to the chamber.
Mr Reda and Mr El-Idrissi both pledged the ABCC’s longstanding commitment to support the Palestinian economy and its young innovative entrepreneurs.
H E Dr Husam Zomlot expressed pride in the success of Palestine’s excellence of the country’s tech sector which could compete with even the largest international tech companies.
During his visit to London Tech Week 2023, Dr Zomlot said he was “proud” of the Palestinian stand at the event which took place at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster.
Palestine’s pavilion at the event had proved enormously successful prompting the senior Palestinian diplomat take to twitter: “London Tech Show: Proud of the Palestinian pavilion.
“Beautiful and popular. Replete with stories of the success and creativity of our youth. Our quality competes with the biggest international companies. Opening global markets to the Palestinian economy is one form of resistance.” https://www.ukpalestinianhub.com/
The growth of the tech industry in Palestine is a hopeful sign for the future. The ABCC has invited Palestinian tech firms to participate in ABES2023 in November.
The Palestinian tech firm delegation was organised by the Palestinian authorities in cooperation with the UK Palestinian Tech Hub, which supports Palestine’s entrepreneurs and tech leaders to acquire the skills, resources and connections essential to accelerate their businesses.
The UK Palestinian Tech Hub is supported by the British Consulate General Jerusalem. It organises a year-round calendar of activities and events as part of an initiative designed to build new connections and collaboration between the British and Palestinian tech ecosystems in the expanding tech sector.