Wet wipes production in the Palestinian Territories Currently, all wet wipes are imported into Palestine from Israel. The partners would like to establish a production facility for wet wipes in flow packs for baby and personal use. The facility will market its products in the Palestinian Territory, Jordan and Iraq and it will acquire the certificates to export to the US and Europe in a later stage. The facility will have their own research lab where the partner will develop the lotions. The applicant, the Jordanian company ALSAAD Hygienic Paper Co., is a manufacturer and distributor of hygienic paper products in Jordan and neighbouring countries. The local partner is Munir J. Kort. He will be the general manager of the facility. The third partner is the company George Garabidian Co., a company specialising in customised group tours and pilgrimages to the Holy Land. The family of George Garabidian & Co. owned and operated TAKO Hygienic Paper Company, the only hygienic paper company in the West Bank that operated from 1964 to 2001. The third partner is located in East Jerusalem. The three partners will set up a joint venture for this project in Jericho, the Palestinian Territory.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The partners will conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The project will pay above living wages, but also medical insurance, retirement contributions and social security contributions. They will provide housing or transport to employees living outside of Jericho.The joint venture will acquire Good Manufacturers Practices (GMP) certification for cosmetics and ISO 9001 and ISO 22716 certification during the PSI project.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe joint venture will start with 12 employees, which will gradually be increased to 44. The employees will receive at least living wage salary and the joint venture will offer long term open ended contracts, transport, education, health insurance, and profit sharing. Housing will be offered to employees from outside the local community.A human resources officer will be hired to make sure employees receive their full rights and are evaluated periodically to improve performance and work a schedule for proper deserved increases. The partners will start working on ISO and GMP certification from the onset of the project to incorporate needed standards in the design and engineering of the project. This will assure safe and good working conditions.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledge- The project will establish the first production facility for wet wipes. They will make their own lotions instead of buying concentrate and they will/can create special products for customers as a private label which is now not available by the competition.- Introduction of ISO 9001, ISO 22716 and GMP for Cosmetics certification during the PSI project.•	Chain effectsAs the project involves new technology and knowledge, the project will start with suppliers from Turkey and Israel for some of the raw material. Once the knowledge and experience are transferred to the project, the project will start working with local suppliers like suppliers for pharmaceutical chemicals, packaging film, patches, etc. to develop their offerings and technical ability to include raw materials needed by the project. This will start by the end of the project and after the expert consultant has transferred needed knowledge to the project.Clients (distributors and final sellers) and consumers will benefit from the project. The consumers have access to a same quality product for 10% to 15% less. The project will seek the Palestinian Health Ministry licensing and approval, which is a formality as the wet wipes from Israel with similar specs have already received approval. Another benefit to clients will be designing the products to tailor the tastes and demands of the Palestinian consumer.•	Impact on the sectorThe project will seek cooperation with outside labs in the Palestine via the external consultant. Next to this the joint venture will provide 2 to 3 internships during the PSI project for chemistry/biology students.•	EnvironmentThe partners will conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The project will be ISO and GMP certified. Water recirculation is used in the production process to almost eliminate discharge.•	Position of womenThe partners will employ at least 40% women in the joint venture. Out of the 44 employees, 17 to 18 will be women, of which 8 on medium to high level jobs. The establishment of a production facility for wet wipes in flow packs for baby and personal use with a production capacity of 50 packs per minute or 6.3 million packs per year with one shift.