The Palestinian Economy and its Development


	The Palestinian Economy and its Development The Middle East Studies Center held a symposium under the title of the "Palestinian economy and its problems in Palestine 2006-2008" under the patronage of Jordanian Minister of Trade and Industry Shareef Al-Zoubi, and Palestinian Minister of Economy and Trade Mazen Nuqrus on 27 February, 2006 in the Raddisson Sas Hotel. The symposium aimed at displaying the problems of the Palestinian economy and the opportunities for investment under the occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip especially in the light of the coming Hamas government. The private sector in Arab countries and the dispersed Palestinians have to bear their responsibilities toward the Palestinian people and encourage joint research to establish sustainable development in the economic sector by enhancing Jordanian-Palestinian cooperation on the one hand and the strengthening of Arab-Palestinian cooperation on the other; and especially in the fields of technology, training, import, export, and customs facilities. Director of the Middle East Studies Center Jawad Al Hamad outlined the obstacles facing Palestinian development, stressing the absence of transparency, increasing corruption in the Palestinian Authority, the presence of the Israeli occupation which affect the population, goods, farms, tunnels, and markets as well as the weakness in the laws which are critical to protect investors’ rights especially in the private sector. He added it is important to create a comprehensive strategic plan in Palestine in the next two years by adopting a "dissolution strategy" from that of the economy of the occupier in different sectors including industry, agriculture, infrastructure and technology, establishing transparency, fighting corruption in the institutions of the Palestinian National Authority, enhancing the role of the Palestinian private sector, increasing the qualification of the national products due to international standards and attracting Arab and foreign investors. Hamdi Al Tabaa', head of the Arab Businessmen Association in the opening session emphasized the Association is obliged to rebuild the Palestinian economy according to new standards away from Israeli domination. He added Jordan actively supports the Palestinian people in all levels to face the occupation in spite of many obstacles. It does this by such activity like reopening Jordanian banks in Palestine, funding investments, and supporting projects. The first session examined in depth the Palestinian economy, concentrating on its different social and economic indicators through the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and shedding light on international and Arab loans and other aid to the Palestinian people and looking at the potential challenges that means. The second session discussed economic principles and its impact on the Palestinian economy whilst displaying the problems of Palestinian development under occupation. Dr. Muhammad Abu Hammour emphasized it is difficult to establish a Palestinian strategic economic vision under the current political situation. The third session displayed the prospects of Palestinian development, investigating the role of the Palestinian government and economists to develop the economic sector. Participants at the end of the symposium recommended the following: 1. Calling on the Palestinian government to create a specific department to receive all kind of aid from foreign and Arab countries and establish a well-thought out plan for distribution. 2. Revising the plan of economic development. 3. Improving the main sectors; education, health…etc. 4. Adopting a "dissolution policy" out of occupation especially in infrastructure and link Palestinian trade to those with other Arab countries. 5. Establishing banks to give loans for small projects. 6. Executing joint Jordanian-Palestinian projects especially in Dead Sea products and marketing olive oil. 7. Calling on the Palestinian government to establish projects and investments to be discussed in Arab Businessmen organizations and specialized economic symposiums. 8. Calling on both Jordanian and Palestinian governments to increase their trade exchange and develop their economic relationship. 9. Calling on the Palestinian government to continue its policy of resistance to face Israeli threats to the Palestinian economy. 10. Establishing different activities to enhance economic programs and meet the required conditions for achieving an independent economy. 11. Releasing media campaign on the international level to face Israeli threats and obstacles. 12. Improving the economic environment for investment to attract the private sector and the foreign and Arab investments. 13. Fighting corruption and improving a comprehensive amendment which strengthens civil society organizations. 14. Studying the differences in the strategic economic plans between Gaza strip and the West Bank.

The Palestinian Economy and its Development

The Middle East Studies Center held a symposium under the title of the "Palestinian economy and its problems in Palestine 2006-2008" under the patronage of Jordanian Minister of Trade and Industry Shareef Al-Zoubi, and Palestinian Minister of Economy and Trade Mazen Nuqrus on 27 February, 2006 in the Raddisson Sas Hotel.

The symposium aimed at displaying the problems of the Palestinian economy and the opportunities for investment under the occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip especially in the light of the coming Hamas government. The private sector in Arab countries and the dispersed Palestinians have to bear their responsibilities toward the Palestinian people and encourage joint research to establish sustainable development in the economic sector by enhancing Jordanian-Palestinian cooperation on the one hand and the strengthening of Arab-Palestinian cooperation on the other; and especially in the fields of technology, training, import, export, and customs facilities.

Director of the Middle East Studies Center Jawad Al Hamad outlined the obstacles facing Palestinian development, stressing the absence of transparency, increasing corruption in the Palestinian Authority, the presence of the Israeli occupation which affect the population, goods, farms, tunnels, and markets as well as the weakness in the laws which are critical to protect investors’ rights especially in the private sector.

He added it is important to create a comprehensive strategic plan in Palestine in the next two years by adopting a "dissolution strategy" from that of the economy of the occupier in different sectors including industry, agriculture, infrastructure and technology, establishing transparency, fighting corruption in the institutions of the Palestinian National Authority, enhancing the role of the Palestinian private sector, increasing the qualification of the national products due to international standards and attracting Arab and foreign investors.

Hamdi Al Tabaa', head of the Arab Businessmen Association in the opening session emphasized the Association is obliged to rebuild the Palestinian economy according to new standards away from Israeli domination. He added Jordan actively supports the Palestinian people in all levels to face the occupation in spite of many obstacles. It does this by such activity like reopening Jordanian banks in Palestine, funding investments, and supporting projects.

The first session examined in depth the Palestinian economy, concentrating on its different social and economic indicators through the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and shedding light on international and Arab loans and other aid to the Palestinian people and looking at the potential challenges that means.

The second session discussed economic principles and its impact on the Palestinian economy whilst displaying the problems of Palestinian development under occupation. Dr. Muhammad Abu Hammour emphasized it is difficult to establish a Palestinian strategic economic vision under the current political situation.

The third session displayed the prospects of Palestinian development, investigating the role of the Palestinian government and economists to develop the economic sector.

Participants at the end of the symposium recommended the following:

1. Calling on the Palestinian government to create a specific department to receive all kind of aid from foreign and Arab countries and establish a well-thought out plan for distribution.

2. Revising the plan of economic development.

3. Improving the main sectors; education, health…etc.

4. Adopting a "dissolution policy" out of occupation especially in infrastructure and link Palestinian trade to those with other Arab countries.

5. Establishing banks to give loans for small projects.

6. Executing joint Jordanian-Palestinian projects especially in Dead Sea products and marketing olive oil.

7. Calling on the Palestinian government to establish projects and investments to be discussed in Arab Businessmen organizations and specialized economic symposiums.

8. Calling on both Jordanian and Palestinian governments to increase their trade exchange and develop their economic relationship.

9. Calling on the Palestinian government to continue its policy of resistance to face Israeli threats to the Palestinian economy.

10. Establishing different activities to enhance economic programs and meet the required conditions for achieving an independent economy.

11. Releasing media campaign on the international level to face Israeli threats and obstacles.

12. Improving the economic environment for investment to attract the private sector and the foreign and Arab investments.

13. Fighting corruption and improving a comprehensive amendment which strengthens civil society organizations.

14. Studying the differences in the strategic economic plans between Gaza strip and the West Bank.