The World Bank is calling on Israel to remove restrictions on telecoms and internet services in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip to boost the Palestinian digital economy, address soaring unemployment and ease access to global markets.
The Palestinian digital economy has failed to reach its full potential, making investments in ICT sectors crucial, particularly during the current Covid-19 crisis when many local businesses have moved online, the Washington-based lender said in its latest Palestinian Digital Economy Assessment report.
“Investing in the Palestinian digital economy is more important than ever. Not only does it enhance its competitiveness and access to the global markets, providing jobs and a source of fiscal revenue, but it has also become vital in times of crisis," said Kanthan Shankar, World Bank country director for West Bank and Gaza.
Ranked below the average of other Arab countries in the World Bank’s Mena Tech Digital Economy Assessment, the digital transformation in West Bank and Gaza has been relatively slow in recent years amid Israeli-imposed restrictions on digital access. The West Bank and Gaza are below the developing country average in broadband penetration rate, the global ICT Development Index shows.
Israeli restrictions on ICT equipment imports and mobile internet speeds ― currently limited to 2G in Gaza and 3G in the West Bank, while Israel is introducing 5G tech for its citizens — have been a "major impediment" to the establishment of digital infrastructure, connectivity and high-speed broadband access, the Washington-based lender said. These measures have delayed network connectivity within the Palestinian territories and with the rest of the world.
The World Bank report called on the government of Israel to allocate the needed spectrum for Palestinian 4G and 5G deployments before completing 5G deployments in Israel.
Strengthening the Palestinian digital economy will require a sustainable political resolution with the government of Israel in order to remove current restrictions, the World Bank said.
The multilateral lender also called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to execute internal policy reforms and invest financial resources for a full-fledged digital transformation of the economy.
"Palestinians have all the capabilities needed to leapfrog into the digital economy. Development of the digital economy is among the PA’s national priorities. It is thus important to ensure continued strong political leadership on the digital agenda to facilitate institutional and cross-sector coordination,” Mr Shankar said.
The PA should consider regulatory reforms for strengthening competition in the market, updating the law on e-transactions and developing the laws on consumer protection and cyber security, the World Bank said.
The report also recommends establishing an inter-ministerial committee on digital development, ensuring institutional co-ordination and mobilising resources for priority sectors.
"Increased investment and adoption of digital financial services is crucial to take full potential of the digital age," the report said.
Cash and cheques still dominate the economy and e-commerce sales continue to operate mainly through cash-on-delivery.
The report said increasing adoption of digital payments can vastly improve the efficiency of government agencies and digital businesses and ease the everyday life of Palestinians.
Digital transformation will also require upgrading the skills of Palestinians and supporting the growth of digital businesses, the World Bank said.
The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for digital skills as more businesses and PA agencies have started using digital services.
Improving digital skills will help in updating the curriculum and teacher training, and forming stronger ties between tertiary educational institutions and industries, the report said.
Digital businesses can also create new jobs in Palestine, of whom 26.4 per cent, or about one in every four, were unemployed in the second quarter of 2021. The unemployment rate stood at 16.9 per cent in the West Bank and 44.7 per cent in Gaza.
There is also a gaping gender divide in unemployment: only 17 per cent of women participate in the labour market, compared with 68 per cent of men, and the women’s unemployment rate at 42 per cent is almost double the unemployment rate for men, said the World Bank.
"Promoting the growth of digital businesses will require support programmes to increase international market reach, enhance the capacity of support organisations [such as incubators and venture capital funds] and strengthen access to finance," the World Bank said.
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
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If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
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Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
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Price: Dh146,999
Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
More on animal trafficking
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
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- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
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Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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On sale: Deliveries start in October
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
Results
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix - 3:45:47
2. David Dekker (NED) Jumbo-Visma - same time
3. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
4. Emils Liepins (LAT) Trek-Segafredo
5. Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO UAE Team Emirates
7. Anthony Roux (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
8. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:00:03
9. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep
10. Fausto Masnada (ITA) Deceuninck-QuickStep
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
