U.S.-Based International Public-Private Sector Projects
Middle East Investment Initiative
Objectives: Increase investment in Palestinian businesses to energize the Palestinian economy, create jobs and foster stability.
Cost: $160 million loan fund facility guarantees up to $230 million in loans to Palestinian businesses; administrative costs to operate fund are approximately $8 million for 5 years.
Loan facility funded by: The Palestinian Investment Fund and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Operating/administrative budget: Funds raised by MEII
Palestinian Risk Insurance Project
Objectives: To provide political risk insurance to small and medium sized Palestinian businesses, to allow them to better manage the risks of doing business in region, and to encourage growth. The project is being led by the Center for American Progress/ Middle East Progress Project in partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative steering committee members from AIG, Middle East Investment Initiative, Circle Financial Group/Trio Foundation, Fried Frank LLP, DLA Piper, National Insurance Company, and Portland Trust, and others.
Initial seed funding: Through Clinton Global Initiative steering committee members Trio Foundation, Fried Frank, and Center for American Progress, with additional $250,000 in start up funding in 2007 committed by AIG.
Cost: Approximately $95 million for a 10 year period (including estimated callable capital amounts).
Development Projects Planned by Quartet Envoy Tony Blair
On November 19, 2007, Quartet Special Envoy Blair unveiled four projects aimed at revitalizing the Palestinian economy and set for immediate implementation.
Emergency Sewage Treatment Plant in Northern Gaza
Objectives: Solve the health and environment threats of the Beit Lahia sewage treatment facility, and improve the sewage infrastructure of the Gaza Strip. This project the backing of the Israeli government as a humanitarian project.
Cost: Not announced
Funded by: World Bank
Improving Tourism Infrastructure
Objectives: Improve tourism facilities and upgrade access to tourist destinations, especially around Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus.
Cost: Not announced
Funded by: Not announced
Jericho Agro Industrial Park
Objectives: To process Palestinian agricultural goods for shipment to the European Union through Jordan. The Israeli government has pledged to provide security and technical expertise for the park.
Cost: Not announced
Funded by: Japanese Government
Southern West Bank Industrial Zone
Objectives: Similar to the Jericho industrial park, feasibility studies for this proposed project could begin in January.
Cost: Not announced
Funded by: Turkish Government
World Bank Development Projects
Emergency Municipal Services Rehabilitation Project
Objectives: Provide funding for infrastructure rehabilitation and maintenance of municipal services, to prevent further deterioration of services and provide employment through labor-intensive employment generation plans
Cost: $40.2 million
Start Date: December 19, 2006
Finish Date: June 30, 2009
Emergency Water Project
Objectives: Alleviate shortage of water supply in the southern West Bank by improving distribution and conveyance networks.
Cost: $12.5 million
Start Date: Approved July 29, 2003
Finish Date: September 30, 2008
Gaza Water and Sanitation Project
Objectives: A follow up to ongoing water and sanitation projects in Gaza, aimed at improving services and investment, and institutional reform and capacity building.
Cost: $22.9 million
Start Date: Approved June 7, 2005
Finish Date: January 31, 2009
Integrated Community Development
Objectives: Improve availability of economic and social services to the poorest communities in the West Bank and Gaza through investment in local infrastructure and institutions. Its main components are investment in community micro projects, such as roads, health centers, and schools; and building community telecommunications centers.
Cost: $20 million
Start Date: Approved May 23, 2002
Finish Date: December 31, 2007
Land Administration Project
Objectives: Assess the feasibility of introducing land administration reforms through improved procedures for issuing and registering property, and more transparent management of disposal of public lands
Cost: $6 million.
Start Date: Approved January 26, 2005
Finish Date: December 31, 2008
Palestinian NGO Project III
Objectives: Establish a mechanism to improve the sustainability and quality of services delivered by Palestinian NGOs, particularly to the most poor and vulnerable members of Palestinian society.
Cost: $17.6 million
Start Date: Approved December 19, 2006
Finish Date: December 31, 2009
Social Safety Net Reform Project
Objectives: Increase school attendance and health status of poor children in the West Bank and Gaza. Also, a portion of the funds are dedicated to helping build capacity in the PA’s Ministry of Social Affairs to improve the efficiency and transparency of the Special Hardship Case program, the ministry’s main social welfare arm.
Cost: $82.5 million
Start Date: Approved June 3, 2004
Finish Date: December 31, 2008
Tertiary Education Project
Objectives: Increase the efficiency of tertiary education projects, create incentives and a basis for improving the quality and equity of tertiary education institutions, and improve policy-making environment for tertiary education.
Cost: $10 million
Start Date: Approved April 26, 2005
Finish Date: December 31, 2009