Project Summary

The Gaza Strip has a very low level of industrialization and high level of unemployment. The industrial sector in Gaza is facing several obstacles, leading to it only contributing 8% to GDP. Border closures often block the movement of goods and services. Serviced land and physical infrastructure for industry are in short supply and prohibitively expensive. Yet, export-oriented industrial production is one of the main promising sectors to create sustainable employment and to stimulate overall economic growth.

The Gaza Industrial Estate (GIE) is designed to provide the investors with the necessary infrastructure, and support facilities and services since it has its own power plant, national grid system and advanced water and sewage system.

The programme is funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP, in close cooperation with the Palestinian Industrial Estates and Free Zones Authority (PIEFZA). It aims at improving economic growth through a sustainable revitalization of the industrial zone as well as the provision of economic and marketing development support. The programme targets 33 industrial and commercial business activities, associated 2,000 labourers, including 33 women among businesspersons and workers, and the Palestinian community at large. The project covers:

• Rehabilitation of GIE transformer rooms (8 out of 16)
• Repair of out-of-order power cables and external lighting (10,150 meters)
• Rehabilitation of GIE wastewater collection system
• Rehabilitation and construction of two water wells
• Rehabilitation and upgrading of the GIE Desalinisation unit
• Introduction of “Partnership for Regional Investment, Development and Employment – PRIDE” in the Gaza Industrial Estate
• Introduction of the Operation and Maintenance manual for the Gaza Industrial Estate premises
  
  

Accomplishments and Progress

• The electrical power supply capacity and utilization by the GIE has increased by 18 MW
• The GIE electricity network extended by 15,000 meters of low and medium voltage cables
• 195 LED and Halogen lighting lanterns and 54 new lighting poles installed
• The potable water supply to the food and beverage factories increased to 400,000 litres per day
• The water supply for the GIE increased by 400,000 litres per day
• The sewage collection system can collect up to 1 million litres per day
• A complete economic empowerment incentives programme was completed
• Training and capacity building for 15 GIE technicians provided