The West Bank

Economic Steps:

1. Employment:

a. Recently Israel approved 8,000 permits for workers to enter Israeli territory, 5,000 permits for construction workers and 3,000 permits for olive harvest. Overall the working permits quota is 41,450, however to date the Palestinians are only making use of 33,500 permits. The quota in the settlements is 24,660 permits.

b. Increasing by 2,000 permits the lodging quota (which allows Palestinians to stay overnight in Israeli territory) for workers who meet the criteria of men over the age of 30 that are married. After this addition, the overall quota rose to 7,000 permits.

2. Merchants - increasing by 1,000 permits the quota for Palestinian merchants allowed into Israel. After this addition, the overall quota rose to 17,750 permits.

Infrastructure:

1. The reinforcement of the electricity provision (7 MW) in the Jenin district is in implementation.

2. There are 14 projects, primarily clinics and schools, in Area C (the territory under sole Israeli control) which are part of the "Fast Track" process.

The Gaza Strip

1. 100 million NIS (approximately USD 25 million) has been transferred from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip, to assist in dealing with cash-flow difficulties.

2. The connection of the pipe in Nahal Oz has been completed. This pipe will allow the future implementation of the transfer of an additional 5 million cubic meters of water to the Gaza Strip.

3. There has been specific marketing from Gaza to the PA in the West Bank, including of textiles and furniture. For example, 4 truckloads of furniture were transferred to the West Bank for PA schools on 23 September.

4. Secondary and specific raw materials for the private sector and 10 refrigerated trucks for supporting agriculture were released to the Gaza Strip.

5. The vehicle quota was increased from 80 vehicles to 100 vehicles per week.

6. 16 projects funded by the international community have been approved.

Projects funded by the international community

in the Gaza Strip: