Palestine—The Compete Project

DAI worked with key Palestinian sectors to help them better compete in regional and global markets. Targeted sectors in the West Bank and Gaza included agribusiness, tourism, information and communications technology, stone and marble, fishing, and garments. To facilitate their expansion, we provided companies with technical assistance and expertise to maximize the value of their products. We connected smaller businesses with larger producers and exporters that have direct and more efficient access to markets. Our industry-wide approach leveraged the U.S. Agency for International Development’s past investments and helped smaller businesses link into, actively participate in, and benefit from sector-wide economic growth and development activities. By increasing the flow of information, products, and technology throughout these sectors, The Compete Project empowered firms to perceive and take hold of the opportunities around them.

After seven years, Compete assisted 1,797 firms in the West Bank and Gaza, increased their sales by $383 million and exports by $254 million, created more than 6,900 jobs, and leveraged $105 million in private-sector investment.

Sample Activities

• Develop new value chains for export by addressing key impediments and utilizing piloting, scalability programs, new technologies, and marketing.
• Identify and access more water for irrigation, including treated wastewater and well water.
• Increase capacity and production quality of onshore fish farms.
• Develop export markets for ICT firms with new products and enhanced business models.
• Develop the decorative stone sector, including with environmentally friendly solutions.
• Create youth apprenticeship and internship programs, including SAP consultant training.
• Assist Gazan garment companies to relink with their historic markets.

Select Results

• Improved the competitiveness of more than 1,797 firms, co-ops, associations, and farms.
• Assisted firms to reach exports of $254 million.
• Helped create 6,900 jobs.
• Leveraged $105 million in private sector investments.
• Facilitated new agricultural technologies now used in more than 3,300 hectares in the West Bank and Gaza.
• Assisted 21 historic sites to expand product offerings and enhance visitors’ experience.
• Supported rapid agricultural growth in Gaza, providing assistance that led to more than $45 million in sales, of which $22 million was in exports.