The Palestine International Business Forum (PIBF) is a truly unique initiative.

 

The PIBF as a Swedish-Palestinian-Israeli initiative date back to 2001 and the aftermath of the second intifada. Since 2001 the PIBF has been engaged in dialogue and cooperation in Israel and Palestine and bonds of friendship and mutual trust have been built over country borders. Even before this, the original inspiration dates back to 1994 when Yassir Arafat and Shimon Peres visited Stockholm and met with prominent Swedish private sector actors after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to create peace in the Middle East.

 

The process was aimed at facilitating dialogue, leading to the adoption of mutually-beneficial business models and measures to help Palestinian private sector creating job opportunities, transfer of expertise and knowledge, and increased trade with Palestinian businesses. Special attention was given to issues such as the important role that the private sector can make towards improving Israeli/Palestinian economic relations; the agreement that efforts must be coordinated to promote balanced trade and business relations with a premise that the PIBF’s mission will be promoted by all parties within their respective countries and businesses in other countries.

 

It is hoped that continuous, parallel efforts between Swedish, Palestinian and Israeli as well as international businesspeople will help facilitate more balanced economic relations and help introduce Palestine as a viable and competitive trade and investment partner with an active role in the international and regional marketplace.