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Last update - 19:28 21/04/2008 PA hopes to raise $1.5 billion at next month`s W. Bank conference By The Associated Press Tags: economy, Riad al-Malki  Palestinian officials hope to raise $1.5 billion from foreign investors at a conference planned next month in the West Bank, the Palestinian foreign minister announced Monday. More than 300 foreign investors, including a Saudi representative and a government minister from the United Arab Emirates, are expected to attend the gathering in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki told reporters. The conference is scheduled from May 21 to 23. The government of moderate President Mahmoud Abbas has made the conference a centerpiece of its efforts to develop the Palestinian economy as a step toward building an independent state. Abbas is currently conducting peace talks with Israel, and the sides hope to reach an agreement by the end of the year. Advertisement Al-Malki said the Palestinians are seeking $1.5 billion in private investment to help fund about 105 projects, including an ambitious $200 million plan to develop downtown Ramallah, the seat of Abbas' government. The state-run Palestine Investment Fund said a Saudi company has already agreed to participate in the project, which is to include a hotel, offices and apartments on a 12-acre parcel. Al-Malki said more than 1,100 investors have been invited, and more than 300 participants, including officials from the World Bank, European governments and the UAE, have already confirmed their attendance. He declined to say whether the Saudi participant was a government representative or private individual. Representatives from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip also are expected, though they won't be members of the Islamic militant group. "Israel, which controls the West Bank's border with neighboring Jordan, does not have diplomatic relations with the Gulf Arab countries. But it has agreed to allow Arab visitors to enter the West Bank for the conference," al-Malki said. Last month, Defense Minister Ehud Barak agreed to make special arrangements for international visitors to attend the Bethlehem conference. Organizers also hope to take participants on a tour of sites in the West Bank, the Israeli cities of Nazareth and Tiberias, and the city of Jerusalem. Related articles: Blair urges foreign investment in Palestinian economy Join the PA police, get NIS 1,400 a month Investing in Fayyad Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fake reactor Syrian envoy: Photos of alleged nuke site fabricated by CIA. Modern Moses Commander of legendary Jewish immigrant ship Exodus dies at 90.   1.   Let`s wait and see how much Arabs will really give 19:57  |  Genuine Tosefta 21/04/08   2.   1.5 billion more needed to pay Abbas,Dahlan,Erekat and Quriea 20:28  |  MOE 21/04/08   3.   re 2 MOE 20:56  |  Mikey 21/04/08   4.   The key word is "investors" 21:37  |  Mike 21/04/08   5.   Arab Settlements in Israel 21:37  |  El-Birawi 21/04/08   6.   MOE, could not agree more! 21:50  |  El-Birawi 21/04/08   7.   Mid East democracy 01:08  |  Goldberg 22/04/08   8.   ROI 01:11  |  Goldberg 22/04/08   9.   Arafat`s widow 01:13  |  Mikey 22/04/08   10.   LOL you guys are so interconnected it`s sick 01:20  |  Aphemia 22/04/08   11.   WAH! So Rich-AHHHH!!!! Can give Gaza Bank some or not? 17:12  |  Magnify 27/04/08

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