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Official Survey Says Unemployment in West Bank, Gaza Rises 25%

Palestinian laborers work at Aluminum Construction, a factory located in the Industrial Park of the West Bank Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, near Jerusalem, February 3, 2016. (Reuters)
Palestinian laborers work at Aluminum Construction, a factory located in the Industrial Park of the West Bank Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, near Jerusalem, February 3, 2016. (Reuters)
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Official Survey Says Unemployment in West Bank, Gaza Rises 25%

Palestinian laborers work at Aluminum Construction, a factory located in the Industrial Park of the West Bank Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, near Jerusalem, February 3, 2016. (Reuters)
Palestinian laborers work at Aluminum Construction, a factory located in the Industrial Park of the West Bank Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, near Jerusalem, February 3, 2016. (Reuters)

Unemployment in the Palestinian labor force rose 25 percent in 2019, revealed an official report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics on Thursday.

The number of unemployed was 343,800 in 2019, with 215,100 in the Gaza Strip and 128,700 in the West Bank. The unemployment rate in Gaza reached 45% compared to 15% in the West Bank, while unemployment among males was 21% compared to 41% for females.

Total labor under-utilization stood at 487,400 people, including 73,100 discouraged jobseekers and 20,500 in time-related underemployment.

The Bethlehem governorate in the West Bank and Deir al-Balah governorate in the Gaza Strip registered the highest unemployment rate in 2019.

The Bethlehem governorate recorded the highest unemployment rate in the West Bank, at about 23%. It was followed by Jenin, at 22%. The Jerusalem and Qalqiliya governorates registered the lowest rates at 7% for each.

In the Gaza Strip, the Deir al-Balah governorate registered the highest unemployment rate, at about 52%, followed by Khan Yunis at 49%. The lowest rate was registered in the Gaza governorate at about 41%.

Moreover, the Bureau found a large gap in the labor force participation rate between genders, whereby 7 out of 10 of males are employed, compared to 2 out of 10 of females. It added that 19% of women in Gaza were employed, as opposed to 17% percent in the West Bank.

Around 61,000 people entered the labor force in 2019 with some 32,000 in the West Bank and 29,000 in the Gaza Strip, said the Bureau, noting an increase in the number of employed in the local market between 2018 and 2019

The number of employed in Israel and Israeli settlements stood at around 133,000 in 2019, with 71% working with a permit and 20% without one, while Israeli ID or foreign passport holders reached 9%.

The number of employed in Israeli settlements was 23,000 in 2019 compared with 22,000 in 2018, with the majority working in the construction sector.

The Bureau also noted a high percentage of child labor in the West Bank compared to the Gaza Strip. It said 3% of children between the ages of 10 and 17 were employed.

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Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
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Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)

The third edition of the “Mirkaz ABalad AlAmeen”, a leading platform for exchanging opportunities in Makkah, will kick off on Sunday, under the theme “Makkah Inspires the World.”

The platform, organized by the Holy Makkah Municipality, will feature 15 exceptional Ramadan evenings focused on dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector engagement.

Makkah Mayor Musad Aldaood said the platform redefines development from Makkah, where faith meets inspiration and values are transformed into a comprehensive civilizational experience.

He noted that the initiative reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and showcases Makkah to the world as a living model of creativity, leadership, and innovation.

The upcoming edition will host more than 65 speakers, including executive leaders and decision-makers from across all three sectors, alongside futurists, entrepreneurs, and leading voices in culture and inspiration from artists, writers, media professionals, and innovators.

The program targets 12 key sectors: technology and digital transformation, financial investment, communications and media, real estate development, transport and logistics, banking services, youth and sports, tourism and culture, hospitality and catering, Hajj and Umrah, the third sector, and healthcare.

Business

Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
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Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) granted on Thursday a unified license to international shipping line Global Shipping Line (PIL), officially recognizing it as an authorized foreign investor to operate maritime agencies in the Kingdom's ports, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The license is issued in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Maritime Agency Services, reflecting Mawani's commitment to boosting the efficiency of the maritime sector and improving the quality of operational services provided at ports.

It aims to attract global expertise and facilitate knowledge transfer within the Kingdom, aligning with international best practices in the maritime transport industry.

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector.

PIL, which operates from its regional headquarters in Riyadh, manages operations in 29 countries.

The move strengthens the Kingdom's position as a crucial logistics hub, in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, while attracting more international shipping lines. It reinforces Saudi Arabia's role as a key link among three continents.

Business

IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
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IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo

Lebanon's economy has shown resilience despite conflicts in the region, with tourism fueling a bit of a rebound, but restoring growth will require comprehensive reforms, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday.

IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack said the global lender remains engaged in complex discussions with Lebanese ‌authorities following their ‌request for an IMF-supported ‌program ⁠in March 2025. The ⁠IMF sent a staff mission to Beirut earlier this month, said Reuters.

The talks have been focused on two big issues, she said, citing the need for banking sector restructuring and a medium-term fiscal ⁠strategy. "The economy has shown resilience ‌despite the impact ‌of conflicts in the region. It has had ‌a bit of a rebound ‌on the back of tourism from the strong diaspora," Kozack said.

"But at the same time, really restoring strong and sustainable growth will ‌require a comprehensive set of reforms to tackle some of the ⁠structural ⁠weaknesses that have really hampered Lebanon's economic performance for many years," she said. Reforms also are needed to attract international support to help Lebanon address its substantial reconstruction needs.

Kozack said Lebanon needs an updated medium-term fiscal framework that includes concrete measures to mobilize additional revenues for much-needed capital spending, as well as a sovereign debt restructuring to restore debt sustainability.