PM Fayyad inaugurates Japan-funded Jericho Agro-Industrial Road Project – UNDP/PAPP press release

Press Release

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad inaugurates the Jericho Agro-Industrial Road Project Funded

by the Government of Japan and Implemented by UNDP

Jerusalem, October 11th, 2010 – A new road connecting the Jericho wholesale market and the future agro industrial zone was inaugurated today in Jericho in addition to the laying of a cornerstone for the future site of the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park (JAIP). The projects funded by the Government of Japan in the amount of US$ 3.1 million are slated to support the (JAIP) project.

Both projects are part of the Government of Japan’s “corridor for peace and prosperity” initiative in the Jordan Valley which aims to establish a viable state for Palestinians accompanied with sustainable economic development through the strengthening of their partnership with neighboring countries. The works are being implemented in partnership between the United Nations Development Programme/Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, Municipality of Jericho and the Palestinian Industrial Estate and Free Zone Authority (PIEFZA).

H.E. Prime Minister Fayyad thanked the Government of Japan and UNDP for their longstanding support to the Palestinian people. He said “The Jordan Valley is the Eastern Gate to our country and is very important to us. This is an economic project that has many political dimensions. It will help the PNA in completing its task and be ready for statehood through developing infrastructure. It will also revive the area and encourage people to stay”.

The new road included the building of 1.8 km roadway between the Jericho wholesale market and the (JAIP). Approximately 8,000 workdays were generated as a result of the project, thus providing short term employment opportunities for the residents of the Jordan Valley. The newly initiated project will include excavation, filling, leveling of approximately 115,000 square meters of land (115 Dunum), construction of embankments, and a storm water canal around the periphery of the site.

“Japan is firmly committed to supporting the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. Sustainable economic development is indispensable for such a state. JAIP can surely contribute to this as part of the activities included in the PNA Government Programme "Homestretch to Freedom". Japan is continuously working together with Palestinian side as well as Jordanian and Israeli sides towards starting its operation by the end of 2012", Mr. Naofumi Hashimoto, the Representative of Japan to the PNA said.

The ceremony was held on Monday October 11th, 2010 in the presence of H.E. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, H.E. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khuloud Daibes, Mr. Naofumi Hashimoto Representative of Japan to the PNA, Kamel Hemaid Governor of Jericho, Mr. Hassan Saleh Mayor of Jericho, Abdel Rahman Shtayyeh from PIEFZA, and Mr. Roberto Valent, UNDP Special Representative a.i.  It is worth noting that 13 dunums have been allocated to implement the solar energy project, which is funded by the Government of Japan to generate electricity to cover part of JAIP and Jericho city needs.

For further information, please contact:

In Jerusalem: Dania Darwish, Communications Officer, Tel. +972-2-6268229 – e-mail: dania.darwish@undp.org, Conal Urquhart, External Relations Advisor, Tel. +972-2-6268200 – e-mail: conal.urquhart@undp.org. For more information on UNDP/PAPP see http://www.undp.ps .

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