BETHLEHEM, May 23, 2008 (WAFA)- A total of 12 investment deals have been signed in the Palestine Investment Conference (PIC)  between private sectors in Palestine and other Arab and non Arab countries.

These contracts, including a contract for constructing a Palestinian township with 5000 housing units. The USD 150mn contract was signed between Palestinian businessmen and Qatar's Al Diyar.

A number of other contracts worth USD 300mn were signed between private Palestinian investors for building infrastructure, as well as educational, healthcare and industrial utilities in various parts of Palestine.

Another USD 250mn contract signed by Saudi Arabian investors will finance the construction of 7000 houses in the suburbs of Ramallah.

The discussions on Thursday evening focused on the development of Gaza. Minister of Planning Sameer Abdullah Ali portrayed Gaza, the city that stretches along the Mediterranean Sea, as a successful trade centre with great investment potential.

The discussions on the third day themed around immediate and viable plans to revive the economy of Gaza as soon as a conducive opportunity arises.

A number of infrastructure projects in Gaza were also discussed with the participation of the private sector.

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad C and hairman of the PIC depicted Gaza as a land of enormous opportunities and said that Gaza is thirsty for investment ventures that ensure substantial returns.