Facebook businesses boom in Gaza amid unemployment
Given the growing unemployment rate and harsh blockade in Gaza, an increasing number of citizens are turning to Facebook to market products and launch small businesses.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — With the increasing number of unemployed youths in Gaza, many young women have turned to social media as a way to both productively use their time and to obtain a source of income. As a result, many Facebook shopping and service pages were recently launched, either by individuals or groups.
Most of these pages are basically concerned with clothes, cosmetics and accessories, yet there are many pages that provide services such as organizing events, preparing gifts or selling homemade food.
The idea seems to be ideal for those who have a little money to invest. They can sell goods, advertise them for free and not pay a single penny for rent in shopping areas. The pages were welcomed by many female customers, particularly since it is the first time that people in Gaza have experienced online shopping.
As is to be expected, the owners of these pages had to obtain products not available in Gaza to attract more customers. Most of the page administrators buy items when they travel and then sell them on their pages.
