CNN Market Place Middle East

SHOW #36

IN FOCUS – Palestinian Investment

Despite restrictions on the movement of labour and goods, an increasingly young and unemployed labour force, and the problems of brain drain, Palestine is looking forward. The private sector is now a bright spot of economic prosperity for the troubled territories, and the Palestinian Authority is strongly promoting private enterprise. With the Palestinian budget worth $3.34 billion in 2008, it seems that times are changing for the region. But with private investment down from approximately $14 million in 1999 to around $7 million in 2006, MME investigates whether Palestine can have a successful, stable economy.

FACE TIME – Tony Blair

This week, MME has an in depth conversation with Quartet Representative Tony Blair. Since leaving the British government, Tony Blair has focused his efforts on improving the economic situation in Palestine and was a key supporter of the recent Palestine Investment Conference. John Defterios caught up with Blair at the conference in Bethlehem and asked him whether the Palestinian Territories can have a prospering economy without political stability.