RAMALLAH, November 11, 2025 (WAFA) – The “Tasdeer” program, funded by the British government, in partnership with the Ministry of National Economy, held an extensive dialogue session to discuss current economic challenges and the program’s role in supporting the resilience and growth of the Palestinian private sector. Participants included Minister of National Economy Mohammed Al-Amour, Minister of Industry Arafat Asfour, British Consul General in Jerusalem Helen Winterton, and a number of representatives from the public and private sectors and beneficiary companies.
Minister Al-Amour affirmed the Palestinian government’s commitment to strengthening the investment environment and developing legislation and procedures that support the private sector. He commended the role of the British Consulate and the “Tasdeer” program in supporting companies and improving the business environment.
He pointed out that Israeli occupation practices, including withholding clearance revenues, illegal deductions, refusing to exchange surplus shekels, and the siege imposed on the Palestinian people, undermine national and international efforts aimed at reviving the Palestinian economy.
Al-Amour explained that the government is focusing on investment, production, exports, and the transition to a digital economy and renewable energy. He added that the government is working on reviewing economic legislation and automating government services to facilitate private sector operations. He called on donors to pressure for the release of clearance revenues and to support development initiatives and the reconstruction of Gaza. He also called for the extension of the "Export" program, given its positive results and impactful initiatives over the past years.
Minister of Industry Arafat Asfour praised the program's partnership and its contribution to the development of Palestinian industry. He explained that the ministry's vision aims to raise the industrial sector's contribution to 13.5% of the GDP by 2029 and increase the number of workers in manufacturing industries to approximately 162,500. He emphasized the importance of supporting the transition to a digital economy, enhancing national production, facilitating market access, and developing workers' skills.
In turn, the British Consul General in Jerusalem, Helen Winterton, affirmed the United Kingdom's commitment to supporting the Palestinian economy and strengthening the bilateral partnership. She noted that the British government's recognition of the State of Palestine marks a new phase of cooperation. She commended the resilience of the Palestinian people and their ability to confront challenges, as well as the achievements of the "Tasdeer" program in supporting governmental institutions and the private sector. She affirmed the UK's continued support for recovery efforts in Gaza and Palestinian-led reconstruction.
She explained that the United Kingdom will continue working with partners to provide expertise and mobilize investments to support a prosperous and inclusive Palestinian economy that contributes to achieving a just peace and sustainable development.
Naseem Nour, Director of the "Tasdeer" program, emphasized that the program's success is based on effective partnerships and a participatory approach that relies on continuous learning and improvement, and the integration of women and people with disabilities as economic actors. He praised the efforts of all institutions and companies that contributed to implementing successful interventions despite the challenges.
The session included a discussion on the challenges facing the Palestinian private sector and ways the international community can respond to them, with the participation of representatives from the Palestine Monetary Authority, chambers of commerce, and the industrial sector.
At the conclusion of the event, Ministers Al-Amour and Asfour, accompanied by the British Consul, visited a number of companies exhibiting and benefiting from the "Tasdeer" program to learn about their most prominent achievements within the framework of the ongoing partnership.
K.T
