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Last update - 13:44 23/05/2008 Over $1 billion pledged for Palestinian projects in Bethlehem conference By Reuters Tags: Salam Fayyad, West Bank  Delegates at a conference in Bethlehem this week pledged to invest a total of $1.4 billion in Palestinian business projects, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad told a news conference on Friday. Fayyad said he expected investment in the projects to create up to 35,000 jobs in the West Bank. Fayyad and President Mahmoud Abbas hosted the conference in an attempt to raise as much as $2 billion in funding for business and various projects in the West Bank and Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, hoping to boost the Palestinian economy as they hold peace talks with Israel. Advertisement The $1.4 billion included about $550 million from major Arab investors for a new West Bank town and a shopping complex. Hundreds of potential investors from the private sector attended the conference in Bethlehem, just south of Jerusalem. International donors met in Paris in December to pledge $7.7 billion in state as a way of bolstering Abbas and his negotiations with Israel on establishing a Palestinian state. Officials from the World Bank, including Fayyad himself stressed that while investment in the Palestinian territories is crucial, the economy would not flourish unless Israel eased restrictions on West Bank mobility. Fayyad, a former World Bank economist who was appointed last year after Abbas dismissed Hamas Islamists from government in a move that ended trade sanctions, said pledges made at the conference were just "the starting point." "We are throwing a party and the whole world is invited," Fayyad said at the end of the three- day conference. Related articles: French FM: Nothing can justify Israeli settlement expansion IDF soldier moderately hurt by anti-tank missile in south Gaza Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.   1.   I`ll believe it when I see it 14:28  |  Pervert 23/05/08   2.   Arab countries are GREAT at promising 14:50  |  x-ray 23/05/08   3.   MONEY THAT BUYS ROCKETS? 15:25  |  petra 23/05/08   4.   P.A. investments 15:31  |  Carl Mathis 23/05/08   5.   Yeah ! so they can build more Quassams. 15:40  |  ottomatik 23/05/08   6.   More $$$ for infrastructure and schools....NOT 16:02  |  spade 23/05/08   7.   Arab "donations" to PA 18:10  |  Dr. David Feigenbaum 23/05/08   8.   Hah! Talk BIG ONLY!! Multiple Hot Airs. 18:19  |  The Archives 23/05/08   9.   Only to wait for Israeli Bulldozers and Tanks 18:50  |  El-Birawi 23/05/08   10.   More money to build more metal workshops 19:13  |  spade 23/05/08   11.   Dont trust the PA to manage any thing 19:20  |  El-Birawi 23/05/08   12.   Suckers conference 20:11  |  real vision 23/05/08   13.   Like peeing in the wind 20:27  |  leo 23/05/08   14.   One for you and one hundred for me 20:54  |  Morrie 23/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: The Palestinians' time is running out Responses: 246 West backs Lebanese gov't capitulation to Hezbollah Responses: 118 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected Responses: 139 Iran reportedly irate over Israel-Syria peace talks Responses: 102 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' jibe Responses: 74 Rosner's Domain Rosner's Guests: can "decisive victory" against guerilla achieved? Blame the Israel Lobby for Clinton's loss? (WTR) Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Should American Jews Embrace Living Double Lives? Why Obama needs Florida Jews? (WTR) More Headlines 20:10 Iran reportedly irate over Israel-Syria peace talks 16:55 Palestinians: IDF kills 5 in Gaza; soldier hurt by anti-tank missile 21:35 Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane 12:52 Olmert questioned for second time; Talansky to testify Tuesday 20:57 Syria hesitant to let IAEA inspect alleged nuke site hit by IAF 21:44 Report: Singer Amy Winehouse to undergo drug rehab in Israel 22:08 'Israeli Big Lebowski' captures top student prize at Cannes 16:32 Amid talks, Golan gets first mall, and development booms 20:11 Secret Holocaust hero has reputation restored in new books, film 20:10 Olmert: Not sure how long I'll be PM, but won't give up peace talks 20:12 Israeli settlement expansion can't be justified, French FM says 09:14 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' comment Previous Editions Select Day 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may

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