Palestinian official announces readiness to form Palestinian state in September

WAFA – Minister of Planning and Administrative Development, Ali al-Jarbawi, stressed Monday the readiness of the government to establish the independent Palestinian state next September.

Al-Jarbawi said in a press statement that this readiness stems from ongoing work to implement the government’s plan: “End the Occupation and Establish the State” and its achievements to date in development, reform and reducing dependency on foreign aid.

He added that the government has prepared a report on its readiness to establish the state and its achievements so far. The report will be presented to the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) in Brussels on Wednesday.

Jarbawi indicated the government was able to reduce dependency on foreign aid by 35% since 2009 through economic growth, guiding policies and improvement of tax collection and revenue, which reached $2 billion for the first time in 2010.

According to the report, the government expects to maintain the rate of economic growth in 2011 at 9%, the same as that of last year.

The government has directed and monitored current and capital expenses to increase development spending and the launching of projects in various sectors, especially infrastructure, and in the area of governance, Jarbawi said.

He added that, through its policies, the government also increased spending for the benefit of marginalized groups who are suffering from Israeli aggression, and helped to enhance the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.