RAMALLAH
Palestinian Economy Minister Jawad al-Nagi has urged Arab and Muslim countries to pump investments into the Palestinian territories to help Palestinians confront "Israeli threats."
"Arab investments in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) are minimal," al-Nagi, currently in Istanbul for an international conference on means of helping the Palestinian economy, told Anadolu Agency via phone.
"I hope these investments would increase to help fight the problems of unemployment and poverty in the Palestinian territories," he added.
The conference is attended by 500 Arab and international entrepreneurs.
"The conference comes within the framework of cooperation with the Turkish government, which intensified its support to the Palestinian national economy in recent years," al-Nagi said.
"It seeks to introduce businessmen to new legislations passed by the Palestinian government to stimulate and attract new investments," added the minister.
Earlier in March, the Palestinian government in Ramallah amended the investments law with the aim of luring more foreign investment into the Palestinian territories.
The Palestinian economy minister lauded Turkey's role in helping Palestinians establish their independent economy.
"Last year, Turkey hosted two conferences to support the Palestinian economy as well as an exhibition for Palestinian commodities," he recalled.
"It also approved facilitations and tax exemptions for some of the Palestinian exports," al-Nagi added.
By Mohamed Khebeisa
englishnews@aa.com.tr
