Palestinian Economy Needs A British Boost - Cameron

A British boost to the Palestinian economy will help businesses expand, create jobs and support increased agriculture, Prime Minister David Cameron announced during a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

Specific initiatives set out by the Prime Minister during his 2 day visit include:

• new funding for the Palestinian Market Development Programme to provide grants for nearly 100 additional companies, to enable them to target foreign investors and enter new markets;

• helping nearly 1,000 young refugee women in Gaza through an UNRWA programme to improve their skills and employability with short term job opportunities;

• help to restore farming land in Area C in the West Bank, which will benefit nearly 1,000 farming communities and increase agricultural production;

•bringing young Palestinian entrepreneurs and business people to the UK for short placements in leading companies under a Portland Trust/British Council initiative;

• funding for HALO to clear three West Bank minefields, which will hand back land to rural Palestinian communities, freeing them up for economic growth; and

• reopening a British Council English language teaching centre in East Jerusalem.

Speaking alongside President Abbas, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I urge both sides to seize this window of opportunity. Britain wants to help build strong Palestinian institutions and a strong economy. And let's not forget that all of this will benefit Israelis next door, where a vibrant economy will find new partners.

"The final difficult steps towards peace will be hard but the prize could be great: a world in which the Palestinian people have their dignity, their freedom and security at last. It won't be easy but this is a vision that we stand absolutely committed to helping realise."

(CVS/CD)