The Portland Trust

The Portland Trust is a British non-profit ‘action tank’ whose mission is to promote peace and stability between Israelis and Palestinians through economic development. They work with a range of partners to help develop the Palestinian private sector and relieve poverty through entrepreneurship in Israel.[1]

The Portland Trust was founded in London in 2003 by Sir Ronald Cohen, co-founder and former Chairman of the private equity firm Apax Partners, together with Sir Harry Solomon, co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Hillsdown Holdings.

The other Trustees are Lord Freud, current Minister for Welfare Reform in the British government and former vice Chairman of UBS Investment Banking, and Mick Davis, Founding Partner of x2 Resources.

In June 2005 The Portland Trust opened an office in Tel-Aviv, the Chair is Yossi Bachar and the Managing Director is Gal Hauyt.

In April 2006, an office was opened in Ramallah under the direction of Samir Hulileh the current Managing Director is Kamel Husseini.

Nicola Cobbold has been the CEO of The Portland Trust since January 2009.[2]

Aims and focus

They are involved in a number of important initiatives, including the development of financial and economic infrastructure, trade and investment and entrepreneurship.

Since its launch in 2003, the Trust has consistently highlighted the important role of economics in resolving the Middle East conflict. It is a critical element alongside improved security and political process to achieve a sustainable and long lasting peace.

Its approach is supported by evidence from other conflict situations – Northern Ireland, Bosnia Herzegovina and more broadly through research carried out jointly with the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. In Northern Ireland economic discussions became a platform for political settlement. The private sector pushed for moderation, and during difficult periods of the conflict, public sector financial support and employment underpinned the economy.[3]

Publications

It publishes printed materials on a regular basis, including:

Offices

The Trust has offices in the UK (London), Israel (Tel Aviv) and Palestine (Ramallah).

Projects

The Portland Trust is involved in a range of projects in Israel and the West Bank including:

Economic Infrastructure

A private sector initiative designed to build affordable housing for new communities and neighbourhoods across the West Bank.

The Portland Trust is working with the Palestinian Authority to explore how it could diversify its sources of electricity using renewable energy.

A mechanism designed to coordinate regional infrastructure development.


Financial Infrastructure

Innovative financing to deliver sustainable funding for Israel's social sector.

A facility designed to help small and medium-sized Palestinian firms access finance from the local banking sector.

The establishment of a private sector pension system in the Palestinian Territory.

A project to support the provision of loan guarantees and technical assistance to smaller businesses in the poorer part of northern Israel.

Financial support for loan guarantees and technical assistance to small businesses in the poorer parts of southern and northern Israel.

A private sector grant leveraging programme to boost Palestinian economic development.

Helping listed Palestinian companies access potential British investors.

A three-year project to strengthen the Palestinian microfinance sector.


Trade and Investment

Identifying ways in which the agriculture sector in the Palestinian Territory can better reach its potential, contribute to the growth of the economy and help improve the livelihoods of thousands of Palestinians.

A programme focused on the development of the local Palestinian tourism sector to meet the needs of domestic and international visitors.

Encouraging foreign investment into Palestinian businesses.

An assessment of Palestinian handicrafts suitable for export.

Analysis of the private sector in Gaza.

Support for the development of a product that reduces political risk to exporting Palestinian companies.

Encouraging cross-border business interaction and trade.

Aiding Palestinian farmers to market their produce to leading supermarkets.


Training and Entrepreneurship

Helping Israeli-Arab graduates participate in the Israeli hi-tech industry.

Addressing the skills gap in different economic sectors in the Palestinian Territory.

An interactive programme that brought prominent global business leaders, international corporate trainers and professors to the Palestinian Territory.

A pilot project in the West Bank to help young Palestinians establish new businesses.

An entrepreneurial training programme to enhance opportunities in the Galilee region.

Sources

References

  1. ↑ http://www.portlandtrust.org/
  2. ↑ http://www.portlandtrust.org/about-us
  3. ↑ http://www.portlandtrust.org/about/aims-and-vision
  4. ↑ http://www.portlandtrust.org/publications
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