LGRDP II
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Palestine
On 15th and 16th of March
2017, the first National Conference for Local Economic Development in Palestine
took place in Ramallah. This conference was organized by the Ministry of Local
Government in partnership with MDLF, UNDP, the Belgian Development Agency, DANIDA,
and VNG.
Next to the Prime Minister, the Minister of
Local Government and Minister of National Economy, mayors and councillors from
cities and villages across Palestine, LED officers and experts in the field, and
the private sector, also representatives from different partnering countries
(such as South Africa, Slovenia, Italy, etc.) attended the Conference.
The conference covered four main topics:
Local, Regional and International LED Experiences; Legal Environment for Local
Economic Development; Sources of financing for LED initiatives; and Integrated
public/private roles and responsibilities to achieve sustainable Local Economic
Development. In addition there were also specialized sessions in which a more
in-depth view is given on for example public-private partnerships; investment
in renewable energy and solid waste; and international best practices.
The main message of the Conference was that
promoting the local economic dynamics and initiatives taken in each locality is
essential for the integral development of the Palestinian territory. The
Palestinian economy will be the product of local economic initiatives. This
makes it clear that in each city, village or community, the local
administration needs to work together with the private sector (the social and
economic entrepreneurs) in order to promote the development of enterprises and
to establish an enabling entrepreneurial environment. Local Economic
Development is not only aiming to employ the youth and bring more revenues to
the families, but also to enrich the territory and its inhabitants as a whole.
BTC supported the Conference since the
brainstorm phase. Aside from financial support also an infographic that
explains the key ideas of Local Economic Development was developed by BTC. The
short movie can be found here. In the
aftermath of the Conference BTC will support a special edition of the Middle
East Business Magazine that will be dedicated to the Conference. The magazine
will include among others the papers presented in the Conference, related
articles on the different pillars of LED, and interviews with the Minister of
Local Government and the Minister of National Economy. This special edition
will be distributed to all stakeholders related to Local Economic Development.
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