Written question asked by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Thursday, 30 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 May 2009. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Thursday, 7 May 2009 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Palestinians: Overseas Trade

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made on trade and investment in the Palestinian territories since the Palestinian Trade and Investment Forum in December 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Since the London Business Forum on Trade and Investment in Palestine, there have been a number of positive developments. Palestinian Fairtrade olive oil was launched in February this year and is now on sale in UK supermarkets. This will increase sales of Palestinian olive oil, upon which 100,000 Palestinian families depend for their livelihoods.The Palestine Britain Business Council has also been established, with the purpose of promoting and facilitating bilateral trade and investment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It will hold its next meeting in Ramallah later this month.UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is working closely with a range of private sector stakeholders on the follow-up to the London Business Forum and will be supporting both tourism and construction scoping missions to the West Bank over the summer. These will aim to map opportunities in the two sectors and bring them to the attention of British business.

Secondary information