The Syrian textile heritage is not merely handicrafts or artistic pieces from the past; rather, it is a fundamental pillar of economic and cultural identity, and a vital lifeline capable of supporting women's empowerment and integrating them into the national production cycle. From this standpoint, and under the slogan "Protecting and Developing Traditional Handicrafts," Eng. Wafaa Abu Labdeh—a board member of the Damascus and its Countryside Chamber of Industry and Head of the Industrial Businesswomen Committee—participated in the panel discussion titled "Protecting and Safeguarding Syrian Textile Heritage" within the activities of the Syria International Textile Exhibition (NasTex 2026).Eng. Wafaa Abu Labdeh emphasized the paramount importance that the industrial sector attaches to spinning and developing Syrian heritage textiles, considering it a cornerstone of economic and cultural identity. She explained that since assuming her duties in the Industrial Businesswomen Committee at the Damascus and its Countryside Chamber of Industry, she began working through service and development projects directed at women to support their presence in this field. She was particularly captivated by handmade textiles and authentic heritage embroidery, such as Aghabani and Brocade, which have been transformed by skilled women into contemporary products that meet modern demands.She pointed out that the difficult circumstances the country went through served as a motive to protect and develop these traditional crafts, turning handicrafts from mere heritage art pieces into economic products that support women and integrate them into the production cycle. She added that current efforts focus on transitioning these crafts from the scope of small projects and limited manual production to a contemporary heritage industry capable of competing and exporting, noting recent participation in international exhibitions within forums aimed at highlighting Syrian heritage in a modern style.In a related context, Eng. Wafaa Abu Labdeh revealed plans to launch a specialized business incubator project for the Aghabani craft in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture. This project aims to train female cadres and provide the necessary equipment to expand this profession, which faces the risk of decline due to a shortage of skilled labor. She stressed that every Syrian governorate and village possesses a textile heritage that deserves safeguarding and support. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of integration between the public and private sectors to protect the textile heritage and link it to local and international markets, ensuring its sustainability as an effective element in the national economy
24/7/2026
