(PCBS)- Press Release on Labour Force Survey Results

(January- March, 2010) Round

 

Unemployment rate was the highest in Tulkarm governorate among the West Bank Governorates, while Khan Younis Governorate was the highest among Gaza Strip governorates

 

This report is based on the labour force quarterly survey. Data was collected during 03/01/2010 to 01/04/2010, representing the 1^st quarter of 2010. The data of this round was compared with the data of the 4^th quarter of 2009 and the 1^st quarter of 2009.

  

The survey sample of this round is based on the 2007 census-sampling frame; 7,770 households were selected to represent the Palestinian society of which 6,913 households completed the questionnaires    (4,677 in the West Bank and 2,236 in Gaza Strip).

 

Economically Active:

·      According to the ILO standards, the labour force participation rate in the Palestinian Territory during the 1^st quarter of 2010 reached (40.7%) compared with (41.5%) in the 4^th quarter 2009 (while it reached 41.4% during the 1^st quarter of 2009).  The participation rate of women reached (14.1%) in the 1^st quarter of 2010 compared with 15.1% in the 4^th quarter 2009.

 

Unemployed Persons

·      According to the relaxed definition of unemployment, the percentage of persons who don't work regardless of seeking or not seeking jobs, decreased from 30.2% in the 4^th quarter 2009 to 28.0% in the 1^st quarter of 2010, compared with 30.6% in the 4^th quarter 2009.

·      According to the ILO standards, the percentage of persons who don't work, but seeking jobs decreased between the 4^th quarter 2009 and the 1^st quarter of 2010.  The results showed that the percentage of the unemployed decreased from 24.8% in the 4^th quarter 2009 to 22.0% in the 1^st quarter of 2010, as compared with 25.4% in the 1^st quarter of 2009.  The unemployment rate decreased in Gaza Strip from 39.3% in the 4^th  quarter 2009 to 33.9% in the 1^st quarter of 2010, as well as decreased in the West Bank from 18.1% in the 4^th quarter 2009 to 16.5% in the 1^st quarter of 2010.

·      Tulkarm governorate has the highest unemployment rate among the West Bank governorates (24.9%) followed by Hebron governorate at (21.2%); while Jericho and Al Aghwar   governorate has the lowest unemployment rate (7.0%). For Gaza Strip, Khan Younis governorate has the highest unemployment rate (41.0%) followed by Deir AlBalah governorate (35.8%), then Gaza governorate (32.9%).

·      The results showed that the highest unemployment rate was concentrated among youth aged      15-29; the age group 20-24 has the highest unemployment rate and reached 35.7%, distributed as 25.5% in the West Bank and 55.4% in Gaza Strip, followed by age group 15-19 which reached 34.3%, distributed as 28.7% in the West Bank and 53.2% in Gaza Strip, then 25-29 group with 28.1%, distributed as 21.4% in the West Bank and 38.9% in Gaza Strip.

·      The results showed that unemployment rate among females who completed 1-6 years of schooling was 5.1%; whereas, this percentage reached 37.2% for females completed 13 years of schooling and more as compared with 13.7% among males.  The highest rate was among males who completed 1-6 years of schooling at 27.2%.

 

Employed Persons

·      The results showed an increase in the number of employed persons between the 4^th quarter 2009, and 1^st quarter of 2010 by 20 thousand employees.  The number of employed persons reached 744 thousand in the 1^st quarter of 2010 as compared with 724 thousand in the 4^th quarter 2009.  The results also showed a decrease in employed women from 126 thousand to 120 thousand between the  4^th quarter 2009 and 1^st quarter of 2010.

·      At economic activity¹ level, the results showed that the percentage of those who have worked in agriculture sector in the West Bank was 13.3% in the 1^st quarter of 2010 compared with 15.0% in the 4^th quarter 2009; while the percentage of those who have worked in mining, quarrying and manufacturing remained at the same level at 15.3% in the 1^st quarter of 2010 and 4^th quarter 2009; The percentage of those who have worked in construction sector was 11.4% in the 1^st quarter of 2010 compared with  10.1% in the 4^th quarter 2009. For Gaza Strip, the percentage of those who have worked in agriculture sector was 9.9% compared with 7.4% in the same period; while the percentage of employed persons  in commerce, restaurants and hotels sector was 18.2% in the 1^st quarter of 2010 compared with 19.5% in the 4^th quarter 2009. On the other hand, the results showed that the percentage of employed persons in services sector reached 34.2% in the West Bank and 58.2% in Gaza Strip in the 1^st quarter of 2010.

·      The results showed that the percentage of wage employees in the West Bank was 63.3% in the 1^st quarter of 2010 compared with 62.0% in the 4^th quarter 2009; while the percentage of unpaid family members was 8.2% compared with 8.7% in  the same period.  Also the percentage of self employed person was 21.4% compared with 22.0% during the same period.

·      For Gaza Strip, the percentage of wage employees was 75.0% compared with 74.2% in the 4^th quarter 2009; while the percentage of unpaid family members was 4.7% in the 4^th quarter 2009; and reached 3.6% in the 1^st quarter of 2010. The percentage of self employed was 16.3% compared with 17.1% in the same period.

·      Employment in Israel and Israeli settlements from the West Bank reached 15.3% in the 1^st quarter of 2010, (with 39.9% have permit, 20.9% do not have permit, 39.2% persons who have Israeli Identity or foreign passport); whereas in Gaza Strip there was no access for workers to enter Israeli settlements.

·      The results showed that employment the public sector constitutes about one fourth (23.2%) of the total employed person, distributed as 15.9% in the West Bank and 42.8% in Gaza Strip.

 

 Wages and Work Hours

·      The average value of the nominal daily net wage of employees worked in the West Bank continued at the same levels during the 4^th quarter 2009 and the 1^st quarter 2010 with 85.6 NIS and 85.7 NIS respectively; while in Gaza Strip, the nominal daily net wage of employees was 56.9 NIS in the 1^st quarter 2010 compared with 62.3 NIS in the 4^th quarter 2009. For nominal daily net wage for those working in Israel and Israeli settlements was 160.8 NIS in the 1^st quarter 2010 compared with 156.4 NIS in the 4^th quarter 2009 to, compared with 142.1 NIS in the 1^st quarter 2009.

·      The average weekly work hours in the West Bank reached 42.8 work hours in the 1^st quarter 2010 compared with 42.3 work hours in 4^th quarter 2009; and in Gaza Strip was 39.1  work hours in the 1^st quarter 2010 compared with 38.1 work hours in the 4^th quarter 2009.  The average weekly work hours for those working in Israel and Israeli settlements was 39.6 work hours compared with  40.2 work hours at the same period.

 

 

 

 

Working benefits:

·         Results about wage employees in the private sector showed that only 24.3% of them have a contribution to the pension fund; while 25.2% of wage employees have annual paid vacation, and 50.0% of women have a maternity paid vacation. On the other hand, results showed that more than 90% of wage employees in the public sector have work benefits as sick vacations, annual vacations, and maternity vacations.

·         Results of first quarter 2010 in the Palestinian Territory showed that about half of workers in the private sector were hired by contract (30.6%) distributed as 29.0% in the West Bank and 34.7% in Gaza Strip.

·         The results of first quarter 2010 in the Palestinian Territory also showed that 19.5% of wage employees were affiliated to a vocational union distributed as 17.6% in the West Bank compared with 24.7% in Gaza Strip.

 

 

 

 

·         About 32.8% of wage employees in the private sector in the Palestinian Territory have work contract

·         About 22.4% of wage employees in the Palestinian Territory are affiliated to labor or professional union

As part of its proactive dissemination policy, The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) issues a press release on the occasion of May 1^st – The International Workers Day – to shed light on the working conditions of Palestinian labor during the year 2009.

• The results of the Labor Force Survey – 2009 indicate that the number of wage employees in the Palestinian Territory amounted to 475,500 of whom 262,100 work in the West Bank and 144,100 work in the Gaza Strip; while 58,500 work in Israel and 10,800 in Israeli settlement.
• The results of the survey also show that (47.5%)  of wage employees in the Palestinian Territory work in the private sector compared with 37.9% work in the public sector; while the percentage of workers in Israel and Israeli settlements reached 14.6%. Regarding wage employees in the West Bank, about half of these employees work in the private sector (52.1%) compared with 27.0% in the public sector and 20.9% work in Israel and Israeli settlements. The results also indicate that the public sector was the largest employer in the Gaza Strip with 63.0% compared with 37.0% in the private sector.
• The findings also show that 35.7% of wage employees work as professionals or technicians in the Palestinian Territory; distributed as 31.2% in the West Bank and 46.2% in the Gaza Strip. In addition, 14.5% of wage workers in the Palestinian Territory work  in  craft occupations distributed as 18.5% in the West Bank and 5.1% in the Gaza Strip.
• The results show that 15.8% of wage workers in the Palestinian Territory in 2009 received vocational training distributed as 14.6% in the West Bank and 18.5% in the Gaza Strip.
• The percentage of wage workers from the West Bank who worked in Israel or Israeli settlements in 2009 and possess work permit reached 39.4% compared with 24.0% with no permit. The number of workers from Jerusalem (Holders of Jerusalem or Israeli ID card) and work in Israel reached 36.6%.
• The number of weekly working hours is considered an important indicator to shed light on working conditions. The results of the mentioned survey show that the weekly working hours do not vary by employment sector or place of work. The results show that the average work week in hours in the Palestinian Territory reached 41.7 hours distributed as 40.5 hours for employed persons in the public sector, 42.4 hours in the private sector and 41.7  in Israel and Israeli Settlements. The average  work week in hours for employed persons in the West Bank  reached 42.4 hours, distributed as  42.2 hours in the private sector, 41.3 hours in the public sector and 41.7% in Israel and Israeli settlements. On the other hand, the average  work week in hours for employed persons in the Gaza Strip reached 39.4 hours, distributed as  40.0 hours in the private sector and 38.7 hours in the public sector.
• The average daily wage in 2009 reached 91.3 NIS in the Palestinian Territory; while it reached 84.4 NIS in the public sector, 77.0 NIS in the private sector, 148.1 NIS in Israel and Israeli settlements.
• Regarding average monthly wage in 2009 by education level, the highest for wage employees was for those who have bachelor degree or higher with 2,814 NIS distributed as 3,070 NIS in the West Bank and 2,259 NIS in the Gaza Strip. On the other hand, the lowest average monthly wage in 2009 in the Palestinian Territory was recorded for employed persons with education level as preparatory or less with 2,224 NIS distributed as 2,435 NIS in the West Bank and 1,115 NIS in the Gaza Strip.
• The average wage in the private sector by economic activity had shown clear contrast; where the service sector  recorded the highest daily average wage  with 106.3 NIS in the West Bank compared with 75.8 NIS in the Gaza Strip. The agriculture sector recorded the lowest average daily wage with 57.0 NIS in the West Bank and 24.2 NIS in the Gaza Strip
• Regarding work related rights and privileges, the results showed that only 12.2% of wage employees in the private sector receive retirement or end of service benefits; while 27.6% receive paid annual leave and 29.6% receive paid annual sick leave. In addition, 42.7% of women receive paid maternity leave. On the other hand, the results showed that more than 90% of wage employees in the public sector most of work related benefits and privileges such as sick leave, annual leave, maternity leave, …etc.
• The findings of the Labor Force – 2009 show that one in every three workers in the private sector in the Palestinian Territory has a work contract (32.8%) distributed as 30.1% in the West Bank and 41.4% in the Gaza Strip.
• The findings of the survey also indicate that 22.4% of wage employees in the Palestinian Territory in 2009 were affiliated to labor or professional union, distributed as 23.3% in the West Bank and 20.2% in the Gaza Strip.

March 13, 2010 (PCBS)

On The Eve Of Palestinian National Cultural Day 13 march 2010, The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics Following Statistical Review on the Cultural of Households and Individuals:

• 25.3% of the Palestinian households watch Palestine Television daily in 2009.
• 39.0% of individuals aged 10 and over do not read books in 2009.
• 32.3% of individuals aged 10 and over use the internet in 2009.
• 6.1% of the Palestinian households do not monitor the type of programs their children (5-17 years) watch on television in 2009.


More than one third of individuals aged 10 years and over in the Palestinian Territory do not read the books in 2009

Culture survey data in 2009 showed that 39.0% of individuals aged 10 and over do not read books (i.e., out of every 10 individuals aged 10 years and over in the Palestinian Territory there are 4 individuals do not read books), including 37.3% in the West Bank and 42.0% in Gaza Strip. at 42.1% for males and 35.8% for females.

Around third of household in the Palestinian Territory obtain daily newspapers in 2009

32.1% of the Palestinian households obtain the daily newspapers daily or occasionally in 2009 (one household out of three household obtain daily newspapers), including 35.1% for the West bank and 26.2% for Gaza Strip.

The survey findings also showed that 31.5% of the individuals aged 10 and over in the Palestinian society read the newspapers (i.e., around third of 10 individuals aged 10 years and over in the Palestinian Territory read newspapers). However, there is noticeable difference between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the West Bank registered 38.7% and Gaza Strip registered 19.0%.

More than half of individuals aged 10 years in the Palestinian society use computers, while around third of individuals aged 10 years and over using internet in 2009

Culture survey data in 2009 showed that 57.1% of individuals aged 10 and over use computers (i.e., out of every 100 individuals aged 10 years and over in the Palestinian Territory there are 57 individuals use computers) including 57.3% in the West Bank and 56.8% in Gaza Strip while Findings confirm that 32.3% of individuals aged 10 and over use internet including 38.2% among males and 26.2% among females.


3% of individuals aged 10 years and over are member of public library in the Palestinian Territory in 2009

The culture survey data in 2009 showed that 6.9% of individuals aged 10 and over are members of sports clubs (i.e., out of every 100 individuals aged 10 years and over in the Palestinian Territory there are 7 individuals are members of sports clubs). Also, 4.3% of such individuals are members of societies (i.e., out of every 100 individuals aged 10 years and over in the Palestinian Territory there are 4 individuals are members of societies). 4.6% are members of unions. Findings confirm that 3.3% of individuals are subscribers to public libraries. Findings revealed that 3.5% of individuals aged 10 and over are affiliated to political parties and 3.0% members of cultural clubs.

About a quarter of households among households have TV set in the Palestinian Territory view Palestine TV on a daily basis in 2009

In 2009, data showed that 92.5% of individuals aged 10 and over view television daily or sometimes, including 95.0% in the West Bank and 88.0% in Gaza Strip.

Also 25.3% of households that have TV set watch Palestine Television daily (i.e., out of every 4 households in the Palestinian Territory have TV set there are one household view Palestine Television daily), including 25.2% for the West Bank and 25.6% for Gaza Strip.

And also 60.8% of individuals aged 10 and over listen to the Voice of Palestine, including 61.7% for male and 59.9% for female.

Around one third of household in the Palestinian Territory do not control the hours their children (5-17 years) spend on the computer in 2009

6.1% of the households do not monitor the type of programs their children (5-17 years) watch on television (i.e., out of every 100 households in the Palestinian Territory there are 6 households do not monitor the type of programs their children (5-17 years) watch on television) including 6.4% in the West Bank and 5.5% in Gaza Strip in 2009.
30.1% of the households do not control the hours their children (5-17 years) spend on the computer everyday including (24.1% in the West Bank and 39.7% in Gaza Strip).

04 March 2010
RAMALLAH - The United Nations World Food Programme has released a socio-economic and food security atlas of the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) which maps out Palestinians’ access to food and nutrition.

Palestinian National Authority Minister of Agriculture H.E. Dr. Ismail Daiq launched the Atlas during a ceremony that gathered representatives from the international donor community, relevant Palestinian National Authority ministries, UN partners and local universities.

The Socio-economic and Food Security Atlas is the first of its kind to be produced in the occupied Palestinian territory. It provides an extensive map-based spatial analysis of numerous sectors in the occupied Palestinian territory including data on food security, socio-economic indicators, demography, health and nutrition, agriculture, environment, water, and education.

“As well as delivering food to the hungry, WFP develops state-of-the-art mapping tools like this Atlas to show exactly where the needs are,” said Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, WFP Country Director in the oPt. “We use them as part of our Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) operations to make sure that we reach the neediest people.”

The collection of maps gives better access to information on the geographical distribution of the food security and the nutritional situation among the people and regions of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This helps the Palestinian National Authority and humanitarian workers improve the delivery of assistance to those who need it most and highlights the areas that are most at risk in order to refine the targeting of humanitarian assistance.

The Atlas is part of the already existing Food Security Monitoring System developed by WFP, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistcs (PCBS). It is the result of joint efforts between WFP, the Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem (ARIJ) and other groups in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The Atlas will be handed over to relevant Ministries of the Palestinian National Authority and will help develop the strategic food security decisions for the national social protection policy and strategy.

Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)

On the Occasion of the eighth of March, The International Woman Day

• About half of the Palestinian society are females at the end of year 2009
• 5.4% of Persons aged 15 years and over are illiterate during 2009
• 15.5% of females (15 years and over) participated in the labor force during 2009
• The number of female prisoners in Israeli jails is 34 of whom 5 with life sentence, at end of 2009

Ms. Ola Awad, the Acting President of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), presented statistical figures about the conditions of Palestinian women through a press release on the occasion of the eighth of March – The International Woman Day. The dissemination of these most recent statistics aims to re-emphasize the importance of this day for Palestinian women in particular and women all over the world in general. Palestinian women constitute about half of the Palestinian society with a sex ratio of 103.1 males for 100 females according to population projections at end of 2009.

Ms. Ola Awad reaffirmed the important role of the Palestinian woman in society as mother, wife, sister, daughter, worker, and struggler; in addition to her vital contribution in social, economic and political fields. The eighth of March comes this year while the Palestinian woman still suffers from the conditions on the ground that touch the lives of all Palestinians.


About half of the Palestinian society are females at the end of year 2009

The estimated population in the Palestinian Territory at end of 2009 reached about 4.0 million distributed as 2.026 million male (50.8%) and 1.965 million female (49.2%). In other words; for every 100 person there are 49 females.

As a result of the decline in mortality rate in the Palestinian Territory, life expectancy has risen in 2009 to 71.8 years whereas the life expectancy for females was 73.2 years and 70.5 for males with variations between the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Regarding female’s marital status, statistics for year 2009 indicated that more than half of women aged 15 years and above were married (55.9%), while 6.1% windowed, 1.3% divorced, 0.2% separated, and 36.5% single. Celibacy of females in the age group 30 years reached 9.9% in 2007. The median age for females at first marriage is 19.5 years in the Palestinian Territory in 2008.

5.4% of Persons aged 15 years and over are illiterate during 2009, of them 8.3% are Females and 2.6% are Males

Females education is one of the social rights for the achievement of equity between men and women for sustainable development. During 2009, about 8 out of every 100 females aged 15 years and above were illiterate; which is four times higher compared with males in the same age group. Statistics also showed that more than half (55.2%) of the enrolled as well as graduated students were females during the scholastic year 2007-2008. Also, more than half (54.8%) of the teaching staff in government schools were also females during the scholastic year 2008-2009.

Statistics also showed a rise in the percentage of enrolled females in the secondary education where out of every 100 students, there are 54 females. On the other hand, the percentage of male students enrolled in elementary schools reached 50.5% compared with 49.5% for females during the scholastic year 2008-2009

Labor force participation rate for females (15 years and over) in the Palestinian Territory is still low at about 15.5% out of total females participated in Labor force, compared with 67.0% out of total males participated in Labor force, while unemployment rate for females reached 26.4% in 2009

Women participation in the labor force is considered important for sustainable development. The labor force participation rate for females (15 years and over) in the Palestinian Territory during 2009 reached 15.5% compared with 67.0% for males. In the West Bank, this rate was 17.4% for females compared with 69.5% for males; while in Gaza Strip was 12.2% for females and 62.5% for males. Women participation in the labor market in the Palestinian Territory is considered the lowest compared with other countries, and the international development indicators showed the percentage of women participation in the Middle East reached 26.0% in 2007

Regarding unemployment under the definition of ILO, unemployment rate for females (15 years and over) reached 26.4% compared with 24.1% for males. Unemployment rate for persons who completed thirteen years of schooling or above was higher among females than males. Results showed that out of every 100 unemployed females, there were 36 women with thirteen years of schooling or above compared with 17 men among every 100 unemployed males.

As for the participation of females (15 years and above) in economic activities, the highest was in education at 34.7%; followed by agricultural, foresting, hunting, and fishing at 20.5%; in addition to health at 9.4%.

The number of female prisoners in Israeli jails is 34 of whom 5 sentenced with life sentence, at end of 2009

While the world celebrates freedom and independence, Palestinian detainees are still locked up in Israeli jails. According to the latest statistics, there are approximately 7,300 Palestinian and Arab prisoners in Israeli jails, 34 of them are women under different prison terms. There are 20 sentenced women of whom 5 sentenced with life sentence. In addition, 12 still awaiting trail, and 2 in administrative detention.





5 female ministers out of 22 in the Palestinian cabinet during year 2009; in addition to the appointment of first female governor in year 2010, and the appointment of first female chief of Palestine Stock market Committee during 2009, 12.9% of women Legislative Council members are females


The participation of Palestinian women in the political life has witnessed development in year 2009 as they started to compete with men and occupy high level positions in the institutions of the PNA. There are 5 female ministers out of 22 ministers in the Palestinian cabinet, one female member in the executive committee for the Palestinian Liberation Organization since 1964, first female chief of Palestine Stock market Committee, first female governor for Ramallah and Al-Bireh. These appointments reflect the success of Palestinian women in leading large institutions in effective and professional manner.

The percentage of women who work as journalists in the Palestinian Territory reached 15.8%; which indicate that out of every 100 journalists during 2009, about 16 were females. In addition, there were 12 females in every a 100 judge in the Palestinian Territory during 2008. Also, there were 5 Palestinian female ambassadors till March 2008.

In the health sector, there were 56 female nurses out of every 100 nurses and that reflects a more favorable view of females to the nursing occupation as compared with other health occupations according to statistics in 2008. In addition, one fifth of dentists were females and about half of pharmacist were females as well.



.

Labour Force Survey Results
(October- December, 2009) Round

Unemployment rate registered the highest in Hebron governorate among the West Bank Governorates, while Khan Younis Governorate registered the highest among Gaza Strip governorates

This report is based on the labour force quarterly survey. Data was collected during 04/10/2009 to 31/12/2009, representing the 4th quarter of 2009. The data of this round was compared with the data of the 3rd quarter of 2009 and the 4th quarter of 2008.

The survey sample of this round is based on the 2007 census sampling frame, 7,694 households were selected to represent the Palestinian society of which 6,849 households completed the questionnaires (4,578 in the West Bank and 2,271 in Gaza Strip).
Economically Active:
• According to the ILO standards, the labour force participation rate in the Palestinian Territory during the 4th quarter of 2009 remains at the same level (41.5%) compared with (41.6%) in the 3rd quarter of 2009 (compared with 41.4% during the 4th quarter of 2008). The participation rate of women remains at the same level (15.1%) in the 4th quarter 2009 compared with 15.4% in the 3rd quarter 2009.

Unemployed Persons
• According to the relaxed definition of unemployment, the percentage of persons who don't work nevertheless seeking or not seeking jobs, decreased from 31.4% in the 3rd quarter 2009 to 30.2% in the 4th quarter 2009, compared with 33.4% in the 4th quarter 2008.
• According to the ILO standards, the percentage of persons who don't work, but seeking jobs remains at the same level between the 3rd and 4th quarters 2009; the differences appeared in the data are not statistically significant for the West Bank or even the Palestinian Territory, the results showed that the percentage of the unemployed decreased from 25.8% in the 3rd quarter 2009 to 24.8% in the 4th quarter 2009, as compared with 27.9% in the 4th quarter 2008.and also decreased in Gaza Strip from 42.3% in the 3rd quarter 2009 to 39.3% in the 4th quarter 2009. while the unemployment rate in the West Bank increased from 17.8% in the 3rd quarter 2009 to 18.1% in the 4th quarter 2009.
• Hebron governorate registered the highest unemployment rate among the West Bank governorates (23.6%) followed by Qalqilia governorate at (23.4%). While Jericho and Al Aghwar governorate registered the lowest unemployment rate (7.1%). For Gaza Strip, Khan Younis governorate registered the highest unemployment rate (50.4%) followed by Rafah governorate (39.1%), then Gaza city governorate (38.2%).
• The results showed that the highest unemployment rate was concentrated among youth aged 15-29; the age group 20-24 registered the highest unemployment rate and reached 40.4%, of which 30.3% in the West Bank and 60.5% in Gaza Strip, followed by age group 15-19 which reached 38.2%, of which 32.3% in the West Bank and 57.5% in Gaza Strip, then 25-29 group, it reached 29.1%, of which 19.6% in the West Bank and 45.3% in Gaza Strip.
• The results showed that unemployment rate among females who did not complete any years of schooling was 2.7%. Whereas, this percentage reached 37.5% for females completed 13 years of schooling and over as compared with 17.3% among males. While the highest rate was among males who did not complete any years of schooling at 32.0%.

Employed Persons
• The results showed an increase in the number of employed persons between the 3rd quarter 2009, and 4th quarter 2009 by 15 thousand employees, the number of employed persons reached 724 thousand in the 4th quarter 2009 as compared with 709 thousand in the 3rd quarter 2009, also the results showed an increase in employed women from 123 thousand to 126 thousand between the 3rd quarter 2009 and 4th quarter 2009.
• At economic activity1 level, the results showed that the percentage of those who are working in agriculture sector in the West Bank increased from 12.8% to 15.0% between 3rd quarter 2009 and 4th quarter 2009, also the percentage of those who are working in mining, quarrying and manufacturing increased from 13.6% in the 3rd quarter to 15.1% in the 4th quarter 2009, whereas the percentage of those who are working in construction sector remains at the same level 10.1% in the 4th quarter 2009 as compared with 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. For Gaza Strip, the percentage of those who are working in agriculture sector increased from 4.9% to 7.4% in the 4th quarter 2009, also the percentage of employed persons in commerce, restaurants and hotels sector increased from 18.6% in 3rd quarter 2009 and 19.5% in the 4th quarter 2009. On the other hand, the results showed that the percentage of employed persons at services and other branches sector reached 33.8% in the West Bank and 60.0% in Gaza Strip in the 4th quarter 2009.
• The results in the West Bank showed a decrease in the percentage of wage employees, it decreased from 63.1% in the 3rd quarter 2009 to 62.0% in the 4th quarter 2009, also the percentage of unpaid family members decreased from 9.2% to 8.7% in the same period, While the Percentage of self employed increased from 20.2% to 22.0% during g the same period.
• For Gaza Strip, the percentage of wage employees decreased from 78.2% to 74.2%, while the percentage of unpaid family members increased from 2.8% to 4.78% and the percentage of self employed increased from 15.4% to 16.3% at the same period.
• Employment in Israel and Israeli settlements from the West Bank decreased from 14.3% in the 3rd quarter 2009 to 13.4% in the 4th quarter 2009, whereas in Gaza Strip there was no access for workers to enter Israeli settlements.
• The results showed that the public sector employed one fourth (23.6%) of the total employed, of which 16.3% in the West Bank and 44.7% in Gaza Strip.

Wages and Work Hours
• The average value of the nominal daily net wage of employees worked in the West Bank decreased from 87.5 NIS in 3rd quarter 2009 to 85.6 NIS in the 4th quarter 2009, compared with 87.4 NIS in the 4th quarter 2008, while in Gaza Strip, the nominal daily net wage of employees increased from 62.1 NIS in the 3rd quarter 2009 to 62.3 NIS in the 4th quarter 2009. For nominal daily net wage for those working in Israel and Israeli settlements increased from 147.7 NIS in the 3rd quarter 2009 to 156.4 NIS in the 4th quarter 2009, compared with 138.0 NIS in the 4th quarter 2008.
• The average weekly work hours in the West Bank decreased from 43.3 work hours in 3rd quarter 2009 to 42.3 work hours in the 4th quarter 2009, and decreased in Gaza Strip from 41.2 work hours to 38.1 work hours, and decreased for those working in Israel and Israeli settlements from 41.4 work hours to 40.2 work hours at the same period.

Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) is pleased to release the main findings of the Hotel Activities Survey for the fourth quarter 2009, which aims at giving the public an overall idea of the most important indicators of the Hotel Activities, mainly the number of guests, average number of workers, occupancy rates, and other main indicators.

The number of operating hotels in the Palestinian Territory at the end of the fourth quarter was 97 operating hotels in December 2009, offering 4,986 rooms with total available beds of 11,042 of which 33 hotels including 1,639 rooms comprising 3,688 beds were in the Jerusalem region. The results show that the number of workers in the Palestinian hotels was 1,648 of which 250 are females.

During the fourth quarter 2009, the total number of guests to the Palestinian Territory reached 142,504 persons, of which 11% were Palestinian guests, and 37% were from the European Union countries. 49% of the guest total were in Jerusalem hotels, whereas the percentage reached 19% in hotels in Middle of the West Bank, 30% in hotels in South of the West Bank, 2% in hotels in North of the West Bank, and the percent less than 1% in Gaza Strip hotels.

While the total number of guest nights reached 311,617 nights, 9% of these nights were occupied by Palestinian guests, 41% by guests who arrived from European Union countries, and 12% by the guests who arrived from the United States of America and Canada.

Most of the guests nights were in Jerusalem and South of the West Bank, representing 49% and 17% of the total guests respectively, and less than 1% of nights in Gaza Strip hotels.

The table below presents the main results of the fourth quarter of 2009, and explains the changes that occurred in the main indicators for the Palestinian hotels activities, compared with the previous quarter, and with the results of the fourth quarter of 2008.

At the end of 2009, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) Issued a Press Release on the Palestinians in the World

• 10.9 million Palestinians in the World by the end of 2009, more than half of them live in Diaspora.
• By the end of 2009, about 4.0 million Palestinians were in the Palestinian Territory, of which 2.5 million were in the West Bank and 1.5 million in Gaza Strip.

As part of PCBS efforts and plans, as well as its mandate to provide policy makers, politicians, development planners, and academics with the most reliable statistics on the Palestinians all over the world, PCBS issues this press release on the Palestinians in the world and their main demographic indicators

10.9 million Palestinians in the World by the End of 2009, more than half in Diaspora and about 36.7% in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

The estimated figure for Palestinians all over World by the end of 2009 is 10.88 million distributed as follows: 3.99 million in the Palestinian Territory (36.7%); 1.25 million (11.5%) live in Israel; 3.24 million live in Jordan (29.8%); 1.78 million (16.3%) in the other Arab countries, and Palestinians living in foreign countries is estimated to be 618 thousand (5.7%).

By the end of 2009, about 4.0 million Palestinians were in the Palestinian Territory, of which 62.1% in the West Bank and 37.9% in Gaza Strip

The population of the Palestinian Territory is estimated to be about 4.0 million at the end of 2009 (62.1%) in the West Bank and (37.9%) in Gaza Strip; Jerusalem Governorate constitutes 9.5%. of the population in the Palestinian Territory. According to data available in 2009 the percentage of the refugee population in the Palestinian Territory is 45.0% of the total Palestinian population living in the Palestinian Territory,18.8% in the West Bank and 26.2% in Gaza Strip; the refugee population is distributed by the region at 30.2% in the West Bank and 69.2% in Gaza Strip.

The total fertility rate in the Palestinian Territory in 2007 was 4.6 births; compared with 6.0 births for 1997, with 4.1 births in the West Bank and 5.3 births in Gaza Strip, although there was a decrease of fertility rate, population natural increase rate is still high, estimated to be 2.9% in the Palestinian Territory in 2009.




Decline in the average family size during 1997-2007 in the Palestinian Territory

Data indicated that there is a fall in the average family size in the Palestinian Territory, where the average family size is 5.8 persons in 2007, compared with 6.4 persons in 1997. On the other hand, the average family size in the West Bank was 5.5 persons in 2007 compared with 6.1 per family in 1997, while in Gaza Strip, the average family size was 6.5 persons in 2007 compared with 6.9 in 1997.

Declining crude birth rate in the Palestinian Territory

The crude birth rate in the Palestinian Territory dropped from 42.7 births per 1000 population in 1997 to 32.7 in 2009. However, there are regional discrepancies: the crude birth rate in the West Bank decreased from 41.2 births per 1000 population in 1997 to 30.1 in 2009, whereas in Gaza Strip, it dropped from 45.4 in 1997 to 36.9 in 2009.


Declining crude death rate in the Palestinian Territory

The crude death rate in the Palestinian Territory declined from 4.9 deaths per 1000 population in 1997 to 4.3 in 2009. There was a slight difference between the West Bank and Gaza Strip: in the West Bank, the crude death rate dropped from 5.1 in 1997 to 4.4 in 2009, and dropped from 4.7 to 4.1 in Gaza Strip for the same period.

An Increase in the percentage of displaced households and individuals from localities where the Annexation and Expansion Wall passes through during 2008 as compared with 2005

The results of the survey on the Impact of the Wall of Annexation and Expansion on the social and economic realities for Palestinian localities the Wall of Annexation and Expansion passes through in 2008 showed that since the construction of the wall until the end of June 2008, 3,880 entire households were displaced from their localities compared with 2,448 households were displaced since the construction of the wall until the end of May 2005. 27,841 individuals were displaced from localities where the Wall of Annexation and Expansion passes through until the end of June 2008, compared with 14,364 displaced individuals since the construction of the wall until the end of May 2005.

35.9% of the Palestinian population in Jordan are under 15 years and the average household size is 5.1 persons


According to 2007 data about Palestinians living in Jordan, 35.9% of the Palestinian population in Jordan are under 15 years. The average household size of the Palestinian population living in Jordan is 5.1 persons. The total fertility rate of Palestinian population living in Jordan was 3.3 births per woman.

According to 2007 data about Palestinians living in Syria, 33.1% of the Palestinian population is under 15 years. The average household size of the Palestinian population in Syria was 4.9 persons. The total fertility rate of the Palestinian population in Syria in 2007 was 3.64 births per woman and the crude birth rate was 29.3 births per 1000 population.

The data of 2007 about Palestinians living in Lebanon showed that 32.9% of them were under 15 years, and the sex ratio was 98.4 males per 100 females. The total fertility rate of the Palestinian population in Lebanon was 3.0 births per woman.


40.6% of the Palestinians in Israel are under the age 15 years and the fertility rate amounted to 3.6 births per woman

The estimated figure of Palestinians in Israel by the end of 2009 is 1.25 million persons. According to 2007 data about Palestinians living in Israel, 40.6% of the Palestinian population were under 15 years and 3.2% of them were 65 years and over. The average household size was 5.0 persons. The total fertility rate of the Palestinian population in Israel in 2007 was 3.62 births per woman. The crude birth rate in 2007 was about 27.3 births per 1000 population, and the infant mortality rate for the same year was 7.2 per thousand live births; note that the sex ratio for 2007 was 103.6 males per one hundred females. The illiteracy rate for persons 15 years and over was 6.1% and 26.2% of the Palestinian households live in housing units with a density of two persons and more.

Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) released a statistical data on agriculture statistics in the Palestinian Territory for the agricultural year 2007/2008, data reveals that the cultivated area with field crops, fruit trees, vegetables, and cut flowers in the Palestinian Territory amounted to 1,854 thousand dunums (1 dunum=1000m2) , compared with 1,835 thousand dunums in 2006/2007.

Fruit trees constituted 63.2% from the total cultivated area of the Palestinian Territory. While field crops and vegetables comprised 26.7% and 10.1% of the cultivated Palestinian areas respectively; 72.0% of the cultivated area in Gaza Strip relies on irrigation compared with only 8.7% in the West Bank.

The livestock production was as follows: cattle, 32,986 in 2007/2008 compared with 34,255 in 2006/2007, sheep 688,899 in 2007/2008 compared with 744,764 in 2006/2007, and322,082 goats in 2007/2008 compared with 343,565 in 2006/2007. The number of chicken reported in 2007/2008 were 22,682 thousand broilers , and 2,695 thousand layers .

The value added of agricultural production of the Palestinian Territory amounted to about US$ 881 million which shows increase compared with 2007/2008 that amounted to US$ 496 million. Plant production constituted US$ 686 million of the value added of agricultural production (of which US$ 501 million in the West Bank and US$185 million in Gaza Strip), The value of agricultural production of the Palestinian Territory amounted to about US$ 1,358 million, of which 63.0% for plant production and 73.0% for livestock production. The cost of intermediate consumption was about US$ 477 million, of which 35.4% of plant production and 64.6% of livestock production.

Palestinian Territory, 2008

Dec 2009- The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics released a statistical report on Energy in the Palestinian Territory for the year 2008; the report covers energy imports, energy use in different sectors and energy prices.

The total energy imports in the Palestinian Territory in 2008 reached to 43,088 TJ. This amount of energy was composed of 3,864,810 MWh of electricity, 133.2 million liters of gasoline, 511.7 million liters of diesel, 3.8 million liters of kerosene, 121,708 tons of liquid petroleum gas and 7,948 tons of charcoal and wood.

Total electrical energy purchases in the Palestinian Territory in 2008 reached 4,275,121 MWh; 2,799,990 MWh in the West Bank (2,735,650 MWh from Israel and 64,340 MWh from Jordan) and 1,475,132 MWh in Gaza Strip (930,450 MWh imported from Israel and 410,312 MWh produced by the Palestinian Electric Company and 134,370 MWh from Egypt).


Data indicate that the total energy purchases in economic activities in the Palestinian Territory in 2008 reached to 5,299 TJ (4,734 TJ in the West Bank and 565 TJ in Gaza Strip).


The average annual price (to the consumer) for different types of energy in the Palestinian Territory were distributed as follows: gasoline 6.21 NIS liter, diesel 5.93 NIS/ liter, kerosene 6.29 NIS liter, LPG 5.58 NIS/ Kg, charcoal 5.81 NIS/ Kg and 14.35 NIS/ Kg for oils and lubricants.

On the Occasion of “International Day of the Child”

Half of the Palestinian society are children below the age of 18 years

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics issued a press release on the occasion of the International Day of the Child that is celebrated by the international community on November 20 of each year.

The estimated number of children (under the age of 18 years) in the Palestinian Territory in mid 2009 totaled 1.9 million; this represents about 49.4% of the total population, distributed 47.3% in the West Bank and 52.5% in the Gaza Strip.


The age structure of the Palestinian society in general and of children in particular indicates that the Palestinian society is young. Children aged less than five years constitute 14.8% of the total population living in the Palestinian Territory, children aged (5-9 years) constitute 13.9%, children aged (10-14 years) constitute 13.3%, while children aged (15-17 years) constitute about 7.4%.

More than one quarter of children (under the age of 18 years) in the West Bank are refugees; while two thirds of children in Gaza Strip are refugees

The distribution of refugee children (under 18 years) in the West Bank is 27.7% and of non-refugee children is 72.3% according to the findings of the Population, Housing and Establishment Census – 2007. Regarding Gaza Strip, the distribution of refugee children is 67.1%.

Data on marriage and divorce in the Palestinian Territory in 2008 showed that 25.6% of total females who got engaged in the West Bank during 2008 were under the age of 18 years while only 1.0% of total males who got engaged in 2008 in the West Bank were under the age of 18 years.

More than half of Palestinian households who have children were poor in 2007

The findings of the Palestinian Expenditure and Consumption Survey 2007 revealed that the poverty rate among Palestinian households according to income patterns is 57.3%. The poverty rate for households with children reached 59.3% while for childless households reached 47.2%.

The findings also revealed that poor households in the West Bank reached 47.2% of total households, whereas poor households with children reached 48.6%, and poor childless households reached 41.3%. On the other hand, 76.9% of households in Gaza Strip were poor, whereas 78.9% of these poor households have children, and 63.7% are childless ones.

3.3% of total male students and 3.2% of total female students in the secondary stage dropped out during the scholastic year 2007/2008

The drop-out rate at the basic stage in the scholastic year 2007/2008 in the Palestinian Territory was 1.1% for male students and 0.5% for female students. At the secondary stage, the drop-out rate was 3.3% for male students and 3.2% for female ones in the same scholastic year.

The percentage of repetition at basic stage in the scholastic year 2007/2008 in the Palestinian Territory was 1.7% for male students and 1.4% for female students, while at the secondary stage, the percentage was 1.0% for male students and 0.7% for female students.

32,000 children were employed in the Palestinian Territory during the second quarter of year 2009

The results of the labor force survey 2009 (second quarter) showed that the percentage of employed children, whether paid or unpaid, amounted to 32,000 children which comprises 3.9% of the total number of children in the age group (10-17 years). The results revealed that 41.3% of total employed children, distributed by sex as 42.4% males and 31.4% females, in the age group (10-17 years) were not enrolled in schools; 58.7% of total employed children in the same age group, distributed as 57.6% males and 68.6% females, were enrolled in schools.

70.7% of total employed children were classified as unpaid family members during the second quarter of year 2009

According to the findings of the labor force survey 2009 (second quarter), 23.9% of employed children in the age group (10-17 years) are classified as wage employees for others, whereas 70.7% of employed children are classified as unpaid family members. The results also showed that 5.4% of children in the age group (10-17 years) are self-employed and employers.

The same data showed that employed children whose age between (10-17 years) are concentrated in the agriculture sector with 48.1% of employed children; 27.5% of employed children were employed in trade, restaurants and hotels; 11.5% were employed in mining and manufacturing, whereas 8.0% of employed children were employed in the construction sector during the second quarter of year 2009.

The same data also revealed that the average weekly working hours for employed children in the age group (10-17 years) was 43.3 hours.

During 2009, more than half of Palestinian households with children have computers, and less than one third of Palestinian households with children have Internet at home

The percentage of households with children under 18 years in the Palestinian Territory and who have computers has increased by a change rate of 43.9% between the years 2006 and 2009. The percentage distribution of households with children and having computers was 36.0% in year 2006, and rose to 51.8% in year 2009.

Regarding Internet service, the percentage of households with children under 18 years in the Palestinian Territory and having internet service has increased by a change rate of 64.3% between the years 2006 and 2009. The percentage distribution of households with children and having Internet service was 17.1% in year 2006, and rose to 28.1% in year 2009.

About one third of Palestinian households do not control the number of daily hours their children (age 5 -17 years) use computers

The household culture survey-2009 showed that about one third of Palestinian households do not control the number of daily hours their children (age between 5 and 17 years) use computers. In the same context, 39.7% of households in Gaza Strip do not control the daily usage hours of computers by their children; compared to 24.1% in the West Bank.

More than half of children (10-17) years watch television, and 6.1% of households do not monitor type of programs their children watch

More than half of the children aged (10-17 years) always watch television, distributed as 52.5% for male children and 61.6% for female ones. About 65.1% of children aged (10-17 years) do not always listen to radio.

Regarding monitoring of television programs, 6.1% of households do not monitor the type of programs that their children (10-17 years) watch, distributed as 6.4% in the West Bank and 5.5% in Gaza Strip. According to type of locality, 10.1% of households in rural areas do not monitor the type of programs their children watch compared to 5.3% of households in camps and 5.2% of households in urban areas.

About 80.8% of children aged (10-17 years) do not read newspapers, distributed as 83.5% for male children and 77.9% for female ones. However, more than two thirds of children in the same age group do read books either as preparation for school or general reading.

Respiratory infections are main leading causes (32.3%) of infant mortality in the West Bank; Conditions in the perinatal period is main leading cause of deaths among children under five years

Based on Ministry of Health data in 2008, the main leading cause of infant mortality in the West Bank was respiratory system infections with 32.3%, distributed as 33.3% for male children and 31.0% for female ones. This was followed by congenital anomalies with16.8%, distributed as 15.6% for male children and 18.5 for female children. Infectious diseases were the cause for 13.5% of infant mortality, distributed as 13.2% for male children and 13.7 for female children. Infant mortality caused by premature and low birth weight was 12.7%, distributed as 13.7% for male children and 11.3% for female children.

According to the data from Ministry of Health in 2008, the main leading cause of deaths among children under five years in the West Bank is conditions in the perinatal period, totaling 43.7%, distributed as 44.8% for male children and 42.1% for female children; causes related to congenital anomalies amounted to 17.0%, and related to infectious diseases was 12.7%.

PMA, PCBS: $347.9 M Deficit in Current Account
(2008)

November 17, 2009- PMA, PCBS


Current Account:
The surplus value of the Current Account amounted to US$ 347.2 million (7.5% of the GDP), compared with the deficit in year 2007 which amounted to US$ 440.5 million and was caused mainly by the surplus in current transfers which amounted to US$ 3,417.7 million. Trade Balance of goods was announced as US$ 3,646.7 million (79.3% of the GDP), this deficit increased by 16.9% compared with the year 2007.

The deficit in Services Balance amounted to US$ 337.0 million increased by 22.4% compared with the year 2007.
The surplus in Income Balance (compensations of employees and investments income) increased by 22.1% compared with the year 2007. This surplus amounted to US$ 913.2 million. This surplus was caused mainly by the surplus in Compensations of Employees working in Israel which was announced as US$ 649.1 million, an increase of 31.7% in year 2008 when compared with the year 2007, in spite of the decrease in the compensations of Gaza Strip employees, meanwhile investments income was amounted to US$ 174.1 million. An increase of 3.6% in year 2008 when compared with the year 2007

According to the Net Current Transfers, the surplus value amounted to US$ 3,417.7 million increased by 44.5% compared with the year 2007. The donors’ current transfers contribute was 80.4% of total receipts value from abroad. This increase in the surplus of Net Current Transfers was due to the increase of donors transfers to both sectors Government and Others Sector which increased by 275.4% compared with the year 2007.

Capital and Financial Account:
The deficit value of Capital and Financial Account amounted to US$ 295.6 million. This deficit was caused mainly by the deficit in the Financial Account (Direct Investments, Portfolio Investments, Other Investments, and Reserve Assets) which amounted to US$ 694.4 million. Meanwhile the surplus in Capital Account amounted to US$ 398.8 million.

The Financial Account deficit caused mainly by the deficit of Net Other Investments which was announced as US$ 179.9 million. and the deficit of Net Foreign Portfolio Investments amounted to US$ 40.5 million meanwhile the surplus of Net Foreign Direct Investments amounted to US$ 59.8 million.

The changes on Reserve Assets flows (increase) amounted to US$ 533.8 million in 2008, which are reflected in the Overall Balance surplus in the Palestine case due to the absence of other financing resources.

Environmental Economic Survey 2009

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics release a special environmental report about the environment of the economic establishments in the Palestinian Territory. This report depends on the Environmental Economic Survey which implemented during the period 22/03/2009 to 28/05/2009. The survey aimed at covering the whole economic sectors. It provided data on the main indicators of environment in the economic establishments, including water, management of solid waste and wastewater.

Survey results showed that the average quantity of water consumed by economic establishments in the Palestinian Territory in 2009 was 3,071 thousand cubic meters per month. Geographically, the average quantity of water consumed by the economic establishments in the West Bank was 1,664 thousand cubic meters per month, and 1,407 thousand cubic meters per month in Gaza Strip.

Results showed that the main source for obtaining water in the economic establishments in the Palestinian Territory in 2009 was the public water network; 92.0% used this source compared with 87.5% in 2008. Geographically, the percentage of economic establishments that obtain water from the public water network in the West Bank was 92.7% of economic establishments, compared with 90.6% in Gaza Strip.

Data indicated that the percentage of economic establishments in the Palestinian Territory in 2009 that used wastewater network to dispose wastewater was 59.9%, compared with 29.9% using porous cesspits.

The results indicated that the economic establishments in the Palestinian Territory produced 7,807 tons of solid waste per month, divided into 6,308 tons produced by the economic establishments in the West Bank and 1,499 tons produced by the economic establishments in Gaza Strip.

The results indicated that the percentage of economic establishments that treat solid waste in the Palestinian Territory in 2009 was 2.2%, 61.7% of these economic establishments in the Palestinian Territory in 2009 use the open burning method in treating the solid waste, and 16.2% of the economic establishments used chemical treatment.

Data revealed that the percentage of the economic establishments in the Palestinian Territory in 2009 that dispose of their solid waste themselves was 6.0%, whereas the percentage of the economic establishments served by local authority disposal services was 86.3%. Also, data showed that 7.6% of the total economic establishments in the West Bank dispose of their solid waste by themselves compared with 2.1% of the total economic establishments in Gaza Strip.

PALINVEST report, Al Safeer exclusive
Don't Buy Gold. . . Yet
Long-term trends point to gold prices over $1,000. . . $2,000. . . maybe even over $5,000.

But in the short-term, investors may need continued patience.
Over the past few weeks, the price of gold has been bouncing between $900 and $950 an ounce. And, following a brief visit to the higher end of that range, gold could once again slip below the $900 level. Here's why. . .
The demand for physical gold from the jewelry, industrial, and dental sectors has significantly fallen.
Official figures from GFMS, the world's top authority on gold supply and demand, showed a 24% drop in gold demand from the jewelry sector during the first quarter, compared to the same period of last year. GFMS data also showed a 31% drop in gold demand from the industrial and dental sector for the same period, compared to the previous year. Gold demand from the jewelry, industrial, and dental sectors will likely remain weak in the short-term, considering the relatively high price of gold, a weak global economy, high volatility in the market, and the seasonal lull, which is typically experienced in the summer months.
Meanwhile, there is a fairly large long position on the Comex gold futures market, which may be significantly reduced in size over the next few weeks, as speculators continue to move back into equities. U.S. stocks rallied this period , sending the Dow Jones, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 to their highest levels of the year.
So for now, we'll probably see gold move lower in the short-term. However, it's important not to lose sight of the big picture, which continues to be very bullish for gold.

Read more •

Young Entrepreneurs Palestine (YEP) organizes
The First National Entrepreneurship Conference




ِAugust 09, 2009- Ramallah- Young Entrepreneurs Palestine (YEP) organized the First National Entrepreneurship Conference under the patronage and participation of the Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad.

The conference was attended by the Minister of Labor Dr. Ahmed Majdalani, the Minister of Justice Dr. Ali Khashan, the Ex-Ministers Mr. Mazen Sinnokrot, and Mr. Kamal Hassouneh, high level representatives from civil society organizations, private sector, and educational institutes, in addition to national and international experts on socio-economic development.

Dr. Salam Fayyad emphasized the importance of the Palestinian's Authority role in empowering and expanding the entrepreneurship, as a tool to fight poverty and unemployment in Palestine . His Excellency demanded the financial sectors and funding organizations to continue developing their financial programs for university graduates so that they can transform their ideas and initiatives into successful and profitable projects. The Prime Minister pointed out the importance of this conference which he described as an important economical event, and one of the first initiatives in this field and he thanked YEP for launching it with key representatives from the private and public sector.

Dr. Fayyad talked about the civil society participation alongside the Palestinian Authority's role in different aspects whether on the economic, political, or social level. Mr. Fayyad added: "with no doubts an association like the Young Entrepreneurs of Palestine participated in increasing the professionalism and awareness level among young Palestinian entrepreneurs, in terms of starting up their own industrial and economical projects, as well as agricultural and technological ones".

Mr. Hazem Kawasmi, Chairman of the Young Entrepreneurs Association called upon re-looking at the educational and training systems and adding a new dimension to them to stimulate the interest of students and trainees to a new option of having their own businesses as an equal alternative or substitute to paid jobs.

Read more •

August 10, 2009

Building Palestinian Sovereignty: Palestinian Customs’ Pioneering Steps
State-of-the-art web-based system to facilitate trade and inform policy decisions

A state of the art web-based system, ASYCUDA WORLD, was officially launched by Palestinian Customs today, August 10th 2009, after years of relentless efforts. A special ceremony was held to mark this event at Best Eastern Hotel in Ramallah under the patronage of Dr. Salam Fayyad, Palestinian Authority Prime Minster and Minister of Finance, with the participation of Mr. Christian Berger, the Representative of the European Commission (EC), and the representatives of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the main partners for the Palestinian customs modernization programme.

Out of the 90 countries that use the ASYCUDA system – known locally as TAWASOL - to manage their customs, the Palestinian Customs service is one of the first 10 national customs authorities to adopt the latest version, ASYCUDA WORLD.

This is the final phase of upgrading the Palestinian Custom's computerized system, within the context of a broad programme for modernizing Palestinian Customs. The use of the upgraded TAWASOL system will help simplify Customs procedures, to the benefit of Palestinian importers and exporters, as well as informing the policy-making process. The modernization programme, which began in 2000, is implemented by UNCTAD, and funded by the European Union since 2003, as part of the strategic vision for building the institutions of Palestinian sovereignty.

Read more •