27/01/2000

Department of Expatriate Affairs

Ministry of Planning & International Cooperation

(MOPIC)

Dept. of Expatriate Affairs is part of the Ministry of Planning And International Cooperation, headed by Director General in the capacity of Assistant Deputy-Minister. It is concerned with Palestinian communities in North America (USA & Canada); South America, Central America, Caribbean Countries; Europe and Australia, where most of Palestinian Expatriates live. These countries are very distant from Palestine. Our Expatriates thus lack knowledge of the Arabic language, Arab laws and traditions. For that purpose the Palestine National Authority (PNA) established a special department to serve these expatriates in their adopted countries or their mother country Palestine when they return.

The Department’s objective is mainly to attract Palestinian expatriates to come and visit Palestine and watch the achievements PNA have accomplished. Those who accumulated some capital will be urged to invest part of their wealth in Palestine, thereby helping the economic development and hence the establishment of the Palestinian Independent State with Jerusalem as its capital. Moreover, the Dept. hopes that it can help organize Palestinian communities in Economic, social and cultural institutions in the Diaspora. This will eventually make them more effective in getting political decisions favorable to such communities in their places of residence and favorable to the just cause of Palestine that deserves full economic, political, moral and social support.

Objectives:

1. Set up a data bank for Palestinian Expatriates in the Americas, Europe and Australia.
2. Urge Diaspora businessmen to invest in the Palestinian Economy, thus help economic development and growth.
3. Provide services and assistance to expatriates who return to reside permanently in Palestine, with respect to investment opportunity, education for their children, and permanent residency.
4. Facilitate their dealings with PNA offices with respect to school for their children, investment etc.

Plan of work:

1. Print publication to give Expatriates accurate information on PNA activities, laws, regulation, restrictions, and guidelines. Such publication will be distributed through embassies and community organizations in the Diaspora.
2. Hold conferences for Expatriates in Palestine. This should be of general nature to include all walks of life: businessmen, professionals, laymen, women, children, youth … etc . Agenda will include cultural, Economic, political, institution building issues.
3. Hold economic conferences in the Diaspora, which will be attended by business people from Palestine and aboard. PNA high officials will be invited to participate.
4. Encourage Diaspora business people to invest part of their capital in the Palestinian economy, alone or through joint venture with local business people.
5. Make lists of projects available for investment in industry, agriculture, tourist, health, education …etc. This should be executed in cooperation with relevant Ministries of the PNA. Such lists of projects will have “profile” short summary (one page) and will be made available to potential investors abroad.
6. Attend annual conferences of Palestinian communities in the Diaspora, to inform them of the official stand of PNA vis-à-vis current issues: political, economic, cultural etc. Also to inform them of the achievements PNA made and ask them to come to Palestine and see for themselves.
7. Organize Exhibits for Palestinian products; industrial, tourist, cultural etc. in the Diaspora. These functions will be coordinated with relevant Ministries, our embassies and community organizations in the Diaspora and local private sector.
8. Organize delegations (business people, youth, folklore troupes) to visit our communities in the Diaspora. Also organize Expatriates delegations to come and visit Palestine.
9. Continue reach-out to our expatriates and respond to their needs and inquiries vis-à-vis investment, work permits, schools, residency in Palestine etc.

The creation of the Independent State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital is the responsibility of all Palestinians in Palestine and outside. Thus we are calling upon our people in the Diaspora to shoulder such responsibility and help develop our national economy and build our civic society. Department of Expatriate Affairs on behalf of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) generally and the Ministry of Planning & International Cooperation (MOPIC) particularly; puts itself at the service of our Expatriates. The Department considers itself the representative of Palestinian expatriates in the PNA and is the specialized official Department to assist expatriates within our modest means. We hope that the Department will grow to meet the needs of all expatriates.

Hope we can unify our efforts inside and outside Palestine for the benefit of our beloved country, our just cause and establish our Independent State with Al-Quds El-Shareef as its capital.

E-mail: expat@intlcoop.pna.net
Tel/Fax: 972-2-2961862
Fax: 972-2-2961857-8-9
Mail: P.O. Box 1336, Ramallah – Palestine
         P.O. Box 54319, Jerusalem – Via Israel