RAMALLAH, April 11, 2010 (WAFA)- US Congressman Joe Courtney told WAFA that President Obama committed to a two- state solution where you have a normal scene in which legal and currency systems operate.”

“One of the important policies that President  Barack Obama announced during the State of Union that he wants the US to double its exports over the next five years. We have a weak economy.”

“One of the goals that his administration has laid out to get the US Economy back on track is to stimulate exports. The US has been in the first country in the world in the 80s while it is now in number three internationally,” Courtney added following a meeting  with Prime Minster Salam Fayyad.

In an exclusive interview, conducted Thursday, Courtney said that: “My presence here is to help my office in organizing for small companies to come to the Middle East to do business in this part of the world. We are helping the staff of these companies how to have meetings with the Israeli side and with businessmen in the West Bank to have more business.”

“I think it is beneficial for both sides. The US became more active in the Middle East. We came here to explore the   perspective customers and opportunities and increase the comers for the area. I heard conversations with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on great opportunities that exist here for investment and to employ a work force. Here the PA considers educational investment a priority, probe business, and improve equality life for everyone, so we discussed opportunities with PA and private sector. These companies are commercial in the US, and some are old; one of them is over 113 years old,” he continued.

“We have 95% of the world’s customers out of U.S.A, so following Obama policy to global economy to assume strong economy. We need to change our attitude about engaging in global economy, according to Obama. The US will continue to become a stronger economy,” Courtney added.

He specified, “under Fayad’s leadership there have been great progress made in giving confidence in the Palestinian legal system and its transparency. This helps in sending signal to US companies that this part of the world makes sense to invest in. The work force here in highly trained and is welcoming to outside investment,  adapted for P.A Economy. He gives the signals that we are ready to have and hold and drive international investment in Palestine to build our statehood. This indicates that people here are doing something right.”

He went on, “Fayyad is an impressive leader had to keep the momentum going in the right positive direction, he appreciated the American aid. He appreciates to fact that the congress, and the donor countries have more confidence in the Palestinian system. His goal is to create a self-sustaining economic system here.”

Commenting on his meeting with Palestinian business men, Courtney said: “the meeting was number 1 to continue support of his efforts to build the state on the Palestinian side and convey the message to the congress that progress has been made. You have to make sure that people have confidence in their future, in order to create a good environment.”

He explained: “Meeting with Palestinian businessmen, the group we met with were very impressive business leaders who have succeeded and have helped the economy here in the last year. They are very proud of that and and want to work independently not dependent, they have issues like getting free flow of goods importing. It was an optimistic meeting because progress has been made. We want to create business to business contact.”

He specified that, “we are interested in investments like infrastructure, road constructions, alternative energy and solar panels, software. The best way for both sides to benefit is to have business to business trade. We do not want to perpetuate a dependent relationship; we want to create partnership by companies interacting with each other.”

He elaborated that the Palestinian Authority has become on the top of the list because of lack of awareness and understanding that there has been progress made in terms of security, and the economic system works for private companies.