By YAAKOV KATZpalestinian salary 298.8(photo credit: AP)
A series of Israeli goodwill gestures to the Palestinians in the West Bank has helped strengthen the Palestinian economy since the beginning of the year, the Civil Administration said Monday. In the last few months, the IDF has removed over 100 roadblocks throughout the West Bank.
The Civil Administration said it noted a sharp increase in the passage of commercial goods in the West Bank as a direct result of the increase in employment licenses and trade permits issued to Palestinian merchants and business owners by the IDF since the year began.
There has also been a significant rise in the number of Palestinians using public transportation in the region, as well as a large expansion of the tourism industries in central cities such as Bethlehem and Jericho.
Fresh agricultural crops exported to Israel have grown by 25 percent and the Al Kuds Palestinian capital markets index has risen, despite global trends. The IDF also said that the successful Bethlehem Investor Conference, held in May, is predicted to lead to an increase in foreign investment.
The use of biometric systems at various crossing points has been developed and extended. More than 500,000 crossings using biometric systems were recorded during the first six months of 2008. Additionally, the number of Palestinians who benefit from VIP transit passes has grown to 1,500. This figure includes senior figures in the Palestinian Authority and senior businessman in Judea and Samaria.
Unemployment has also dropped from 25 percent in 2004 to 19% this year.
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