Manama: Bahrain will host a workshop in June described as “a pivotal opportunity to convene government, civil society, and business leaders to share ideas, discuss strategies, and galvanize support for potential economic investments and initiatives that could be made possible by a peace agreement.”
The “Peace to Prosperity” economic workshop will be held in partnership with the US on June 25-26 in Manama.
According to a statement carried by Bahrain News Agency (BNA), “Peace to Prosperity” will facilitate discussions on an ambitious, achievable vision and framework for a prosperous future for the Palestinian people and the region, including enhancements to economic governance, development of human capital, and facilitation of rapid private-sector growth. If implemented, this vision has the potential to radically transform lives and put the region on a path toward a brighter future.
Cool reception
The Palestinians are giving a cool reception to the workshop, however.
Nabil Abu Rdeneh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, says "any plan without a political horizon will not lead to peace."
The Palestinians severed ties with the White House after President Donald Trump recognised Occupied Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017. The US has responded by cutting hundreds of millions of dollars of aid.
US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin said he looked forward to “these important discussions about a vision that will offer Palestinians exciting new opportunities to realise their full potential.”
“This workshop will engage leaders from across the entire Middle East to promote economic growth and opportunity for the people in this important region,” he said.
Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said the workshop “underscores the close strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States as well as the strong and shared interest in creating thriving economic opportunities that benefit the region.”
