The Palestinian Businessmen’s Association Holds Workshop on French Grant to Support Palestinian Companies
Ramallah – The Palestinian Businessmen’s Association – Jerusalem, in cooperation with the French Consulate General in Jerusalem and under the umbrella of the Palestinian-French Joint Business Council, held a workshop on the French grant dedicated to supporting Palestinian companies. The event took place at the Association’s headquarters in Ramallah on Wednesday.
The workshop was attended by key figures including Kamel Mujahed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestinian Businessmen Association – Jerusalem, Amal Daraghmeh Al-Masri, President of the Palestinian-French Joint Business Council, Emile Morel, Economic Advisor at the French Consulate, Zeina Ayad, Commercial Attaché of the Consulate, Jehad Aqel, Director General of the Association, and various members of the General Assembly representing different economic sectors.
The primary objective of the workshop was to familiarize Association members with the conditions and mechanisms for applying for the grant. The workshop also showcased practical examples, experiences, and previous success stories. This grant targets various economic sectors, aiming to foster the development and establishment of new economic projects.
In his speech, Mujahed emphasized the importance of empowering Palestinian companies to develop their projects, especially in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the current economic situation.
“This workshop underscores the significance of the French grant program in developing the Palestinian private sector, enhancing the capabilities of companies locally and internationally, and fostering new partnerships with French counterparts in industry, tourism, agriculture, and services. It also aims to modernize existing companies that contribute to advancing our national economy across various sectors,” he said.
Mujahed highlighted that approximately 38 Palestinian companies have benefited from the French grant, creating over 450 direct and indirect job opportunities. The grant has also enhanced enterprise capabilities, particularly in technology and knowledge transfer. This year, the program provides a financial grant covering 50% of the value of external financing for each eligible Palestinian company or project to purchase equipment of French origin.
Al-Masri discussed the importance of the Palestinian-French Joint Business Council, who signed a cooperation agreement with MEDEF-France (Businessmen Associations 8n France MEDEF.com) noting that the workshop aims to strengthen relationships with the French private sector and create trade and investment links with Palestine. She emphasized that the Palestinian Businessmen Association – Jerusalem is working on establishing joint business councils with various countries to create economic and commercial opportunities and develop bilateral trade partnerships.
She explained that the Joint Business Council promotes and facilitates trade and business activities between Palestine and France, communicates with relevant parties to improve cooperation, facilitates training and technology exchange, and promotes trade partnership opportunities.
Economic Advisor Morel spoke about the importance of the French grant and its benefits for the Palestinian private sector, along with the renewal agreement of the grant. Commercial Attaché Ayad presented on the targeted entities, conditions, registration mechanism, practical examples, and success stories related to the grant.
Lina Barakat, Deputy General Manager and member of the Board of Directors of Al-Quds Pharmaceuticals, reviewed her company’s experience with the French grant, lessons learned, and best practices for obtaining the grant.
It is worth mentioning that the French grant, initiated in 2010, supports the Palestinian private sector. Since its inception, 45 projects have been approved, and about 50 funded projects have been completed or are under implementation across various fields. The grant is dedicated to the private sector in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza, covering all industrial activities, with a special focus on environmentally friendly projects that create local job opportunities and support the development of new or existing projects, companies, or factories.
