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International donors begin to shift focus from humanitarian aid to support of private sector and economic development. Full story

http://www.jpost.com/Business/BusinessNews/Article.aspx?id=182201

The relentless Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip has squeezed many things, but it hasn't robbed people of their ability and desire to innovate and invent. At the Rashad al-Shawa cultural center in heart of Gaza City, dozens of local companies and individuals recently demonstrated hi-tech products and inventions at an exhibition sponsored by government and nongovernmental bodies. Full story

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11385.shtml

Easing the import blockade won’t help Gaza. What it needs is a free pass on exports. Full story

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/06/23/israel-offers-misdirection-on-gaza.html

One of the justifications given for Israel’s strict blockade against Gaza is that Israel is protecting itself from a potential arms build-up by the leadership of Gaza, which would extent the conflict and bloodletting. But the lists of goods that are barred from entering Gaza goes beyond the more reasonable items like ammo, guns, and other war instruments. The blockade is not about restricting weapons, but about imposing Israeli’s dominance on the Palestinian people. Israel’s leaders are on a constant war-footing. They believe they must use any means to achieve their goals, economic or otherwise. Full story

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/54044

On March 23, 2010, the Palestinian Federation of Industries will inaugurate a week-long products exhibition of recycling industries and handicrafts producers in Gaza. Local companies demonstrate remarkable creativity and ability to adapt to the extremely difficult situation since closure of Gaza. While many businesses have been forced to shut down due to limited availability of raw materials; Gazan artisans have been able to reinvent themselves. The producers use of locally available resources such as clay, and even turn damaged materials such as broken glass into beautiful decorative and gift items. Full story

http://fnmd.ps/etemplate.php?id=81

The exhibition was aimed at promoting local products, which are still manufactured despite the current strict siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. More than 300 Palestinians from different parts of the Gaza Strip attended the ceremony and 1600 people visited the exhibition on the first day. Full story

http://ukinjerusalem.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/working-with-jerusalem/innovation

Trying to make a living as a farmer in Gaza these days is taking a toll on the family ties so integral to the Palestinian culture. Traditionally, occupations are passed from father to son for generations, and their tie to the land is particularly strong. Before Israel imposed a suffocating blockade on the 14-kilometer-long Gaza Strip in 2007 (as punishment for electing Hamas as its governing party), farmers could make a good living growing carnations and strawberries for export and vegetables for the local market. Full story

http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip.php?article1288