The economic implications of Covid-19 pandemic

An online workshop was held by the Palestinian Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies (Masarat) to discuss a draft paper prepared by Dr. Nasr Abdul Karim and assistant researcher Abdullah Marar on the economic repercussions of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Palestine, and the economic interventions available during the pandemic period. The dialogue was moderated by Sultan Yasin, CMI’s Senior Advisor in Palestine.

The workshop gathered 40 participants from researchers, economists and entrepreneurs to discuss the economic repercussions of Covid-19. The participants called for restructuring of the Palestinian economy for achieving economic disengagement from the Israeli occupation, and discussed what  is required from budgeting and setting economic policies to confront the current crisis, in addition to increasing support for the sectors of agriculture, industry and small enterprises, supporting the resilience of citizens in Jerusalem and marginalized areas, and investing in Area (C).

The participants also warned of the increasing number of the unemployed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the current political situation, calling for a clear employment strategy based on creating job opportunities within the Palestinian economy, and reducing the flow of workers to settlements and Israel, in order to achieve a reduction in dependency on the Israeli economy, in addition to supporting the private sector, and injected liquidity to revive the market. Furthermore, the participants stressed the need to develop policies to support the groups affected by the current crisis, by reducing government spending, reducing taxes on small projects, reducing the interest rate, and enhancing social responsibility, in addition to boycotting occupation goods and supporting the national product.

 

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