Gaza’s clothing sector makes a comeback
The Gaza Strip's garment sector, once suffering from war and blockade, seems to be bouncing back.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — It seems that 2017 is boding well for the garment sector in the Gaza Strip after an eight-year Israeli export ban on garments.
In a narrow alley in al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, Muhammad Abu Shanab's clothing factory has been brought back to life since Israel allowed the export of garments to the West Bank in March 2015.
Following the Israeli closure of all commercial crossings with Israel after the 2007 blockade and the ban on exports of Palestinian-made clothing, Abu Shanab had sold most of his factory’s machines under liquidation. His business is now running again, albeit in a small room and using the few unsold machines he has left.
In March 2015, Israel permitted the first export of clothing from Gaza as part of its gradual easing of restrictions on the Gaza Strip, following the war on Gaza in the summer of 2014.
