Outline of the Project

Title

Project for Strengthening Incentive Service and Management Functions for Jericho Agro-Industrial Park

Country

Palestinian Authority

Date of R/D signed

18th December, 2013

Project Site

Ramallah city, and Jericho city

Term of Cooperation

From 26th March, 2014 to 25th March, 2017

Implementing Organization

Palestinian Industrial Estates and Free Zones Authority (PIEFZA)

Background

Development of industrial parks is regarded as an effective approach to enhance the Palestinian economy and support their economic independence. The Palestinian Authority (PA) and Japanese Government agreed to cooperate on the development of the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park (JAIP) as a core project to realize the concept of "the Corridor for Peace and Prosperity"^[1] through discussions with Israel and Jordan. Based on the agreement and the feasibility study of JAIP, PA requested Japan a technical assistance project aimed towards the capacity development of PIEFZA and various tasks required for realization of JAIP. The first phase project had been implemented from 2010 to 2013 and that supported the selection of a private developer, management of infrastructure development for the stage I area, materializing incentive packages for investor promotions and services for tenants.

Based on the progress in the above project, PA further requested to Japan the second phase project to empower the functions of PIEFZA to provide incentive services and to manage industrial parks. This second phase project has started since March 2014 for three years.

Objective

[Overall Goal]: The economic activities in JAIP are expanded.

[Project Purpose]: JAIP is well managed by strengthening the functions of PIEFZA to provide incentive services to tenants in JAIP and to operate and manage JAIP.

Output:

1. The functions of PIEFZA to provide One-Stop-Service (OSS)^[2] and to facilitate logistic services are strengthened.
2. The function of PIEFZA to provide business development services (BDS)^[3] is strengthened.
3. The function of PIEFZA to facilitate financial services is strengthened.
4. The function of PIEFZA to manage JAIP’s operation is strengthened.

Project Activities:

[For Output 1]

1-1	Establish a section in charge of OSS and logistics services
1-2	Coordinate with relevant organizations in providing OSS and facilitating logistics services, and prepare/establish a service provision/facilitation system (contents and procedure)
1-3	Monitor the Four Parties Consultative Unit[4] which plans to realize logistic services for promoting movements of personnel and goods for JAIP, provide necessary information, and suggest concrete service provision modalities
1-4	Monitor the PIEFZA Law revision process and provide necessary information to relevant organizations
1-5	Provide and upgrade OSS and facilitate logistic services for tenants in JAIP

[For Output 2]

2-1	Establish a section in charge of BDS provision.
2-2	Develop a collaboration system with relevant organizations for BDS provision, and prepare/establish BDS provision system (contents and procedure)
2-3	Ensure proper planning of BDS
2-4	Provide BDS (including Business to Business (B to B) matching services and technical assistance in cooperation with Japan and third countries) in collaboration with relevant organizations

[For Output 3]

3-1	Establish a facilitation system of financial service scheme including PRIDE (Partnership for Regional Investment, Development and Employment)[5]
3-2	Materialize a grant for tenants in JAIP by PRIDE scheme
3-3	Provide information on other available financial schemes and assist obtaining them

[For Output 4]

4-1	Establish a section for operation and management
4-2	Prepare operation and management manuals for PIEFZA’s own work and supervising developer’s work
4-3	Supervise developer’s performance in accordance with the concession agreement and developer’s business plan approved by PIEFZA
4-4	Provide Conduct regular meetings with a developer for operation
4-5	Update the PIEFZA’s business plan, and conduct PIEFZA staff’s capacity development based on the plan

Input

[Japanese side:]

1. Dispatch of Experts: Chief Advisor (Industrial Park Development), Industrial Park Management, Financial Service for Investors, Industrial Park Financial Analysis, Industrial Park Marketing & Promotion, Business Development Service, Administrative Coordinator/ HR Development, and other short-term experts will be dispatched in accordance with the needs for the effective implementation of the Project.
2. Training in Japan and Third countries.
3. Machinery and Equipment: Necessary machinery and equipment for the Project activities upon mutual agreement.
4. Input other than indicated above will be determined through mutual consultations between JICA and PIEFZA during the implementation of the Project, as necessary.

[Palestinian Side:]

1. Services of the Palestinian side’s counterpart personnel and administrative personnel as referred to in the record of discussions (R/D);
2. Suitable office space at PIEFZA with necessary equipment like table, chairs, and others;
3. Information as well as support in obtaining medical service;
4. Credentials or identification cards;
5. Available data (including maps and photographs) and information related to the Project;
6. Running expenses necessary for the implementation of the Project;