Hariri Foundation rehabilitates the carpentry souk in Old Saida with EU money

The Hariri Foundation, in cooperation with the General Corporation for Construction and Contracting GENICO completed a project aimed at supporting, marketing and developing the production capacity of the traditional wooden crafts industry in the Carpenters’ souk- Old Saida quarter. The initiative is part of a sustainable urban development strategy for the capital of the south, implemented in partnership with the city’s municipality with funding from the EU Mediterranean Partnership Program. Saida Mayor Mohamad Saudi toured the repair works and met with shop owners there. He stressed the importance of such undertaking in safeguarding the heritage of the old part of the city and which is celebrated as a tourist attraction. Remarking that traditional crafts is a source of living for many families who inherited the craft from older generations. For her part, Hiba Honaini from the Hariri Foundation told Al Mustaqbal newspaper that the project seeks to reduce the rate of poverty and as such has targeted four wooden craft shops in the Old Quarter by facilitating the interior renovation and restoration, provision of upgraded machinery and equipment and the improvement of façades and display presentation, in addition to imprinting the "Saida the crafts” logo on the products for better marketing and promotion. (Al Mustaqbal, 31 August 2015)