Palestine and UNDP sign agreement for electrical substation for industrial park funded by Japan – UNDP press release

Press Release

The Ministry of National Economy and the United Nations Development

Programme sign an Exchange of Letters funded by the Government of Japan

Ramallah – 30 April 2013 – the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Palestinian Industrial Estate and Free Zone Authority (PIEFZA), in the presence of the Representative Office of Japan to the Palestinian Authority, signed an exchange of letters worth USD 884,513 for the construction of an electrical substation for the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park (JAIP).

The project aims at providing electrical service to the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park in order to meet the demand of the tenants and feed all related public facilities. The provision of the electrical service will include the construction and furnishing of the main substation, supply and installation of the 15 MVA transformers and all corresponding material and equipment and contribute in delivering the required energy supply to a fully operational and functional park.

H.E. Dr Jawad Naji, Minister of National Economy and Chair of PIEFZA, thanked the Government of Japan for their generous contribution and UNDP for their continuous support to the Palestinian people. H.E. also emphasized the Ministry’s efforts in supporting the private sector and the implementation of viable projects that will impact the Palestinian development agenda.

The project is part of the Government of Japan’s “corridor for peace and prosperity” initiative in the Jordan Valley that aims to establish a viable state for Palestinians accompanied with sustainable economic development through the strengthening of their partnership with neighbouring countries.

Through this project, the Government of Japan has further extended its official development assistance for more than USD 50 million for Jericho and JAIP only, and USD 1.3 billion in total for the State of Palestine.

“This vital USD 900,000 electrical substation for JAIP will secure the electricity supply for JAIP operation”, said H.E. Junya Matsuura, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and the Representative of Japan to the Palestinian Authority. “JAIP has a great progress recently towards its start of operation. I do hope JAIP will significantly contribute to create the foundation of the Palestinian State and the peace and prosperity of Jordan valley” he added.

“The Jordan Valley is considered the Eastern Gate to the occupied Palestinian territory but it faces many challenges,” said Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator. “This industrial zone will contribute to human development and Palestinian livelihoods. It is an essential component to encourage people to stay in the area and create a viable Palestinian Economy,” he added.

The signing ceremony was held on Tuesday 30 April 2013 in the presence of H.E. Dr Jawad Naji, Minister of National Economy and Chairman of PIEFZA, H.E. Junya Matsuura, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to the Palestinian Authority, and Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator.

It is worth noting that four phases have already been funded by the Government of Japan to support the construction of the future Jericho Agro-Industrial Park. The prior phases included the rehabilitation works for 1.8 km connecting road, excavation and levelling works for 115 dunums, construction of a 2.15 km water transport line and a 1.5 km 4” pipeline, construction of a 500 cubic metres water tank, in addition to the recent PIEFZA Administration building.

For further information, please contact:

Dania Darwish, Communications Specialist, Tel. +972-2-6268229 – e-mail: dania.darwish@undp.org.

For more information on UNDP/PAPP see http://www.undp.ps.

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