An export conference introducing Czech innovative solutions for solid waste management, recycling, and the circular economy in Palestine took place on 11th November 2020. It was held under the auspices of the Representative of the Czech Republic in Ramallah.

The conference was opened by Mr Petr Starý together with Mr George Karraa, owner of the Czech company Lavaris Ltd, which is implementing a B2B project in the West Bank prepared by the Czech Development Agency. In addition to the conference, Lavaris Ltd. signed an MOU with the Bethlehem Joint Service Council for Solid Waste Management at the same time.

More than fifteen Mayors from the towns and villages of the Bethlehem Governorate participated in person at the conference at the premises of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Dr. Hazboun, Chairman of the Board of the Chember, is also Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic. The Czech companies and representatives of Czech universities joined the mayors on Zoom while other Palestinian, Jordanian and, Syrian participants streamed the conference on Facebook. In total more than sixty persons participated.

The conference gave the mayors the opportunity to hear and ask questions of the Czech companies and universities on their innovative technologies and solutions. The companies and universities that participated were: PAVLŮ-Innovation Ltd., FitCraft Energy Ltd., Kybertec Ltd., ARP Bohemia Ltd., Keiretsu Forum CEE, the Institute of Circular Economy, the Czech Technical University, the Czech University of Life Sciences and, the University of Chemistry and Technology. The Czech law office of JUDr. Jaromír Štůsek also joined the conference to present its services to the companies.

The mayors, companies and, universities all provided valuable positive feedback on a very successful event on Czech innovative technologies and solutions despite having to organise the conference via Zoom and Facebook. It is hoped that at least some of the technologies will be implemented in Bethlehem governorate and perhaps other West Bank governorates in the near future.

P. Bobek, Deputy Head