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Industrial park meeting

Plans for industrial park in Jericho moving forward

After nine years of delays and two and a half years of no communication between parties, the plan for a new industrial park in Jericho intended to stimulate the Palestinian economy by generating thousands of jobs is finally moving forward; Likud minister: 'I hope the successful meeting will contribute more to a positive atmosphere, after such a tense and pessimistic period.'

For the first time in two and a half years, talks resumed between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan and Japan for the establishment of a modern industrial park in Jericho.  

 

 

Ministers and representatives of all parties met Wednesday to promote the project, which is expected to generate thousands of jobs for local residents. Products of the industrial zone will be directly exported to Jordan and from there, to the rest of the Middle East.

 

On behalf of Israel, Tzachi Hanegbi, a Likud minister, attended the meeting in Jericho, which is in territory controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA). Hanegbi met with the PA Minister of Civil Affairs, Hussein al-Sheikh, Secretary General of the Jordanian Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Saleh al-Kharabsheh, and Japanese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kentaro Sonoura.

 

Meeting between Israeli, Japanese, Palestinian and Jordanian officials
Meeting between Israeli, Japanese, Palestinian and Jordanian officials

 

The meeting was intended to advance the project, financed by the Japanese government, in order to assist the Palestinian economy. Since the breakdown in negotiations with the Palestinians two and a half years ago, there has been no public dialogue between Israeli ministers and Palestinian officials.

 

Hanegbi expressed his optimism that the project would produce a more cordial climate between the two sides. "I hope the successful meeting will contribute more to a positive atmosphere, after such a tense and pessimistic period."

 

 

To date, Japan has contributed NIS 1.7 billion. Israel has also contributed significant funds, albeit not directly to the project. However, it has supported ventures related to the project, such as upgrades to the border and overland transport routes.

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.08.16, 10:36
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