ICC has announced a partnership with Palestine Emerging, a cooperative private-sector initiative, focused on the economic reconstruction and development of Gaza and the West Bank. In line with ICC’s commitment to promote peace and prosperity through trade, the partnership aims to support broader efforts to develop strong private sectors and help secure economic stability across the Middle East.
In addition to causing devastating human losses in the region, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has led to substantial negative economic consequences. Prior to the war, Palestine already had one of the lowest GDP per capitas in the region. Under the Palestine Emerging growth scenario, GDP can more than double to potentially reach US$36 billion by 2050, compared to US$19 billion for the base case. Palestine Emerging develops and validates ideas, turning them into detailed plans and investable projects.
Formalising the partnership, ICC and Palestine Emerging committed to a set of joint initiatives aimed at growing the Palestinian economy, to the benefit of the Middle East region at large. These include training for Palestinian SMEs, building export capacity and promoting investment opportunities in Palestine. ICC and Palestine Emerging will also work together to identify opportunities to reduce trade barriers, accelerate dispute resolution and increase cross-border trade.
Palestine Emerging Executive Director Shireen Shelleh said:
More than just support, this Trade Gamechanger can reshape a key macroeconomic factor, to significantly accelerate the Palestinian economy. Our partnership with ICC, the global body for commerce, will help produce a step-change for economic development and cross-regional collaboration as we work to prepare more investable conditions in the West Bank and ultimately in Gaza.
ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said:
ICC is uniquely positioned to support the economic reconstruction and recovery of conflict-affected areas, leveraging the knowledge and know-how from across our global network. Our partnership with Palestine Emerging – which draws on unique contributions from regional and international actors – will advance our ultimate goal to enable business to support peace and prosperity for everyone, everywhere in line with our founding purpose.
About Palestine Emerging
Palestine Emerging is a pro-bono coalition of over 100 leaders and experts from Palestinian business leaders, international financial organisations and global economic development experts, coalesced around a robust economic blueprint of what needs to happen for Gaza and the West Bank to see substantial reconstruction and a sustainable road to prosperity and economic growth.
