Translated by Sabrin Qadah

Was launched on Sunday 19/2/2017, the events of the Italian-Palestinian Partnership conference at Movenpick Hotel in Ramallah, in the presence of Abeer Odeh- the Minister of National Economy, Hashim Shawa- Chairman and General Manager of Bank of Palestine, Samir Zreik- president of the Union of Palestinian businessmen associations, Italian Consul General Fabio Skolovic, Marco Gerias from Italian youth businessman Union, and a crowd of Palestinian businessmen and the private sector, with the participation of a number of Italian businessmen, who represent leading companies in Italy.

The conference was organized under the main auspices of the Bank of Palestine, where during the conference was the signing of the founding of the Palestinian Italian business forum agreement between the Union of Palestinian businessmen associations and the Federation of Italian Young businessman, which was signed by Samir Zreik from the Palestinian side, and by Marco G from the Italian side.

For his part, Zreik welcomed the guests, stressing the importance of developing the Palestinian Italian economic relations, noting that trade between the two countries is still limited, asImports from Italy to Palestine are approximately $70 million, while Palestinian exports to Italy are less than $2 million. Zreik said that the Palestinian Federation of Businessmen Associations is making great efforts to strengthen this relationship and increase the volume of trade exchange and joint investments referring to the cooperation agreement with the Italians, which mainly aims to develop common business environment and strengthen the direct economic relations between the businessmen of both parties.

Zreik explained that the second meeting would be held in Italy soon, hoping for the size of the exchange and joint investment between the two countries to double. He expressed confidence that the visiting delegation will find many opportunities for joint investment with Palestinian businessmen. For his part, Hashim Shawa, Chairman and General Manager of Bank of Palestine underlined the importance of establishing an Italian Palestinian business forum. Shawa said that the idea began in 2015 after the Palestinian participation in Expo Milan in 2015, where Italian businessmen Association has been invited to bring a delegation of businessmen in Italy to visit Palestine, identify the prospects for investment and the create an entity regulated by this relationship to eventually reach a sustainable partnership in economics, investment and trade between Palestine and Italy.

Shawa added: there has been a response and presence of a group of Italian businessmen from the entrepreneurs category to set off with their visit today the first Italian Palestinians forum representing 20 Italian companies from different sectors, in which this visit will be the turning point to break the deadlock among business leaders in Italy, creating an entity to regulate this relationship, increase the volume of trade exchange, benefit from Italian experiences and review the reality of industry, agriculture, industry and water in Palestine. Shawa said that the export gap between the two countries is very large. Shawa expressed the hope that this partnership is working on the establishment of a joint economic projects that will contribute to the alleviation of unemployment and employment and stimulating the Palestinian economy.

For his part, Fabio Gee- head of Italian Youth business Union- was delighted to sign an agreement with the Union of Palestinian businessmen associations whose aim is to encourage economic activities, organize and activate business and investment opportunities of entrepreneurs in society. He stressed his support for the establishment of a free market as a way for competition among different industries and stimulation of the foundations of business development for entrepreneurs and enterprises from both sides.

He stressed also on the importance of encouraging entrepreneurship among young people as considered leaders of growth and economic development, in addition to supporting modernization and job creation for young and unemployed people and alleviate unemployment, pointing to the importance of increasing knowledge with other countries, take advantage of foreign leading experiences in order to strengthen relations and the business environment.

In turn, the Minister of National Economy Abeer Odeh expressed her gladness for the release of Palestinian Italian business forum, saying that it has been working hand in hand with all partners in the past years for the establishment of the Palestinian Italian Business Council in order to strengthen trade between Palestine and Italy.

She said that this forum today aims to establish a Business Council, which we hope it’ll be soon, revealing at the same time for a visit to Italy that will be organized next year.  Odeh expressed her pleasure to see Italian businessmen visiting Palestine for partnership and investment and the establishment of economic relations with Palestine confirming that they will find investment and trade opportunities with Palestine. She expressed the hope that this forum will achieve its objectives through the creation of a better business environment and attract investors to Palestine for the development of the Palestinian industries and increase Palestinian exports to foreign markets.

The Consul Fabio Skolovic was followed by a message from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Italian participants at the conference, in which he stressed the importance of partnership and cooperation between Palestine and Italy in all fields, through the establishment of a Palestinian Italian business forum as a cornerstone of actual economic partnership between the two sides. He pointed out that the forum will open new horizons for businessmen from both sides, and will support entrepreneurial efforts, joint ventures and exchange of information and opportunities for our communities.

Skolovic added that he is confident that the Forum will open vistas in economic relations, where Italian exports for Palestine in 2016 recorded a remarkable increase exceeding expectations with a rate of 37%. He expressed gratitude to all parties that contributed to the start of the forum, dedicating his thanks to the Ministry of Economy, the Italian consulate, the Federation of business associations, the Federation of Italian businessmen and the Bank of Palestine.