Group to promote bilateral US-Palestine business ties

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New American group hires Palestinian consulting firm to promote bilateral U.S.-Palestine businesses linkages

With a clear eye on a post-occupation Palestine, the effort expects these linkages will contribute to ending the Israeli military occupation that stifles Palestinian economic growth

English: Sam Bahour (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(January 21, 2015 – Chicago, USA & Ramallah, Palestine) – The newly established U.S. non-profit organization, Americans for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy (AVPE), signed a management services contract with the Palestinian private sector consulting firm, Solutions for Development Consulting Company (SOLUTIONS), as the first step to launch its operations within Palestine.

The mission of Americans for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy is grounded upon the simple premise that positive investment in Palestine breeds hope for a better future for Palestinians through tangible economic opportunity.
AVPE was founded by a group of American businesspersons and public figures who believe in a sustainable, positive economic relation between the United States and Palestine. Retired American business consultant Ed Thompson co-founded the effort with Palestinian-American businessman Sam Bahour after touring Palestine in 2008 and subsequently organizing a 2013 speaking tour in Chicago for Bahour. Bahour is originally from Youngstown, Ohio.
Speaking from the group’s Chicago headquarters, AVPE’s President Ed Thompson noted, “This is a critical first step to move the growing American support with Palestinians from moral support to tangible economic support. We are enthusiastic about our local partner, SOLUTIONS, and look forward to formally launching our efforts to facilitate real and direct US-Palestine business linkages. AVPE is not a new peace talk-shop, but rather a sound business effort to create jobs on the ground and to drive business value for both Palestinians and Americans.”

A street in Bethlehem lined with taxis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Iyad Joudeh, Managing Partner of Solutions for Development Consulting Company, reaffirmed that, “Sound business linkages between American firms and Palestinian firms serve several strategic goals. First and foremost, it keeps Palestinians constructively engaged in Palestine while they endure the brunt of Israeli military occupation, all the while building the needed capacities and economic foundations to prepare Palestine’s economy to enter the global markets as soon as possible; especially when the occupation ends. AVPE provides an ideal platform to contribute to this goal and we look forward to working with them.”

In addition to identifying specific business opportunities for Americans and Palestinians, AVPE plans to sponsor several business trade missions to and from Palestine this year.

ABOUT AVPE
Americans for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy was founded on the simple premise that Positive Investment in Palestine breeds hope for a better future for Palestinians through tangible economic opportunity. Hope breeds change for the betterment of Palestinian society, and a better relationship with the rest of the world. Our non-profit organization encourages lasting economic partnerships between Americans and Palestinians. When impediments on the ground are lifted, these lasting business partnerships will support a vibrant Palestinian economy and, in the meantime, every business transaction and job created plant another seed of hope that keeps Palestinians constructively engaged towards a future of freedom and economic independence. Our focus is twofold: 1) to promote business relationships between Americans and Palestinians and 2) to promote positive investment in the Palestinian economy. Visit AVPE’s website for more information: www.a4vpe.org.

ABOUT SOLUTIONS
Solutions for Development Consulting Company (SOLUTIONS) is an experienced consulting firm that takes a development-centered, data-driven and client-engagement approach to assisting public and private sectors organizations to improve and grow. SOLUTIONS was established in 2005 and is based in Ramallah, Palestine. Over the past 10 years of operations, SOLUTIONS managed three nationwide projects; InTajuna (nationwide project promoting fast moving consumer goods, fresh fruits and vegetables), Asasat (nationwide project promoting construction and building materials), and the Palestine International Business Forum (PIBF). More information may be found at: www.solutions.ps.

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Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News

Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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