West Bank Market Consumes Half a Billion US Dollars Worth of Settlement Products

Palestinian Authority Economics Minister in the West Bank revealed that his ministry decided that 2010 would be the last year for settlements’ products in the West Bank, and he called for the cooperation of all decision makers to ensure this policy is implemented in time.

Dr. Hassan Abu-Libda added, in a meeting organized by the Nablus Trade and Industry Chamber on Sunday, December 20, that Israeli settlements pour, annually, products worth 500 million US dollars, and that these products are transported by Palestinians.

---

Abu-Libda asserted that the Palestinian Authority remains committed to the Paris Economic Protocol, despite its unfairness, and that goods produced inside the 1948 borders are welcome.  He also said that, on the Israeli side, Palestinian products should be dealt with similarly, and that if otherwise is revealed, a special committee will be activated to address the issue seriously.

Abu-Libda said that the ministry adopted several policies, including the encouragement of Palestinian investment, based on belief in the major role that could be played by this sector in order to reduce the unemployment and poverty rates in Palestine.

Source: Quds Press