Launched in 2007 by the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and U.S. business leaders, the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership (UPP) focuses on creating economic opportunity for the Palestinian people and helping prepare Palestinian youth for the responsibilities of citizenship and good governance. The U.S. private sector – both non-profits and the business community – is uniquely situated to contribute to these goals.

The Partnership focuses its efforts on stimulating the Palestinian economy through sustainable economic development, job creation and training, and attracting foreign investment in the West Bank. The partnership is developing quick-impact projects that will promote a robust Palestinian economy.

Our Work

The U.S.-Palestinian Partnership (UPP) fosters partnership between American and Palestinian public, private and nonprofit stakeholders by implementing income-generating projects and encouraging business investment and entrepreneurship in the West Bank. UPP is working to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and attract foreign investment in the West Bank. UPP convenes stakeholders, designs projects, and follows through with their implementation. As negotiations for peace unfold, establishing effective economic institutions in the West Bank will build the confidence needed to establish lasting foundations for peace.

The Partnership focuses on the development of three primary economic sectors that are critical to Palestinian economic growth: information communication technology, hotel and tourism, and agribusiness. These sectors represent key areas for new jobs and the possibility of sustained economic activity and were selected in coordination with the Palestinian Authority and the United States Government. In the words of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad:

“I want to underscore the importance of your work and much it is valued by the Palestinian Authority and by me personally. You have been working on supporting in a meaningful way the projects on the ground that will create jobs, demonstrate a clearer path of hope and peace for the Palestinian people. The sectors you are discussing, ICT, Agro-business, Hotel and Tourism and new planned communities are the key areas for growth, new jobs and economic activities.” 

These efforts are guided by the reform agenda of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and works closely with his ministers and government in its implementation. UPP complements and supports the overall effort of the Quartet on the Middle East's Special Representative, Tony Blair. The Partnership has the cooperation and support of the U.S. government.

Our History

On December 3, 2007, the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and U.S. business leaders announced a new partnership focused on creating economic opportunity for the Palestinian people and helping to prepare Palestinian youth for the responsibilities of citizenship and good governance.

The U.S.-Palestinian Partnership was constructed to provide critical support in facilitating progress toward a two-state solution, wherein Israel and Palestine live side by side, in peace, security and prosperity. The Partnership was created out of a recognition that the U.S. private sector, both nonprofits and the business community, is uniquely situated to contribute to these goals. By demonstrating to the Palestinian people that they are willing to work with responsible Palestinian leaders and institutions, the private sector can increase support for a Palestinian leadership committed to peace and willing to negotiate the political compromises required to reach this important goal.

UPP was built on the work of the Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII). Initiated by Aspen Institute and developed as a public-private partnership between MEII, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Palestinian Investment Fund, MEII helps implement a $228 million loan guarantee program currently operating in the West Bank to improve the livelihoods of the Palestinian people. Building on the success of the loan guarantee effort, the Partnership is working to help create an affordable mortgage mechanism that will help more Palestinian households afford homes.

The Partnership’s early success include encouraging economic investment through support of the Palestine Investment Conference in Bethlehem, which drew more than 1,000 attendees and raised $1.4 billion in investment commitments, and continuing to cultivate business relationships and investment opportunities through the Palestinian Business and Investment Forum in Washington, D.C. In addition, quick impact economic initiatives like the Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) are helping to stimulate economic activity, create jobs and expand home ownership in Palestine through a loan guaranty facility, an affordable mortgage program and political risk insurance. The Partnership supported the strategic development of opportunities for Palestinian youth in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Youth and Sports by expanding Youth Development and Resource Centers (YDRCs) to prepare Palestinian youth for full and productive participation in Palestinian society.