Peace was dying until Israel elected a new government, said Rachid. A great deal of time last year was also spent in internal integration. But with many of these issues ironed out, the Palestinian authorities have been moving ahead with major decrees. Most important has been the creation of a development council made up of the ministers of finance, planning, economy and an economic advisor. This council will look at the consolidation of the finance authorities and the issue of investment.
Foreign business can look to Palestine with some certainty now.
These laws will last 25 years, not three to four, he said. Anton Schrafl, deputy chairman of Holderbank Cement, is proof positive that the climate has changed. We have been in Lebanon since the 20s, we have been in Egypt since the 20s. The project in Palestine is part of that strategy, he explained. The project has been set up in partnership with its Egyptian subsidiary, the plant s builders and with the Palestinian government the first such deal of its kind.