JERUSALEM, May 15, 2012 (WAFA) - British Consul General in Jerusalem, Sir Vincent Fean, Monday welcomed export of garments from Gaza to the United Kingdom.

“I welcome today’s news of the first export of textile goods from Gaza to the UK since 2007,” e said. “The export of 2000 garments from the Ashour Company, a leading knitwear producer in Gaza, to a UK outlet is a great success for Gazan business.”

Fean said that this success was made possible by the technical and financial support provided by the UK Department for International Development through the Palestinian Facility for New Market Development (FNMD). In the past four years, the UK has provided support through FNMD to over 340 companies in Gaza to help them rebuild operations and expand their businesses, helping create jobs for over 1,600 Gazans.

The British official said that “it is our firm belief that economic prosperity in Gaza is the surest way to achieve security, through undermining the tunnel economy.”

He said that this development marks a further step by Israel towards fulfilling its commitment to allow economic development for the 1.6 million people in Gaza, adding that “I hope that further such exports will be permitted at a sustained level not only to the UK, but also to Israel and the West Bank – the natural markets for Gaza products.”

The Minister for International Development, Alan Duncan MP, welcomed this news, saying: “Through trade, we can help Gaza rebuild its economy, providing opportunities for Gazans to pull themselves out of poverty and creating a safer and more secure environment for the Palestinians and for Israel.”

He said that “while I am pleased that the UK has supported this important development for Gazan business, it is my hope that we quickly reach a stage where there is no longer a need for such assistance, because sustained exports from Gaza will be the norm.”

M.S.