DAI Palestine is currently managing five development projects in Palestine, working with several different industry sectors, hundreds of individual firms, all major associations leading national institutions, and local and national governmental bodies. DAI Palestine actively cooperates with international donor agencies, governments and NGOs, seeking to expand economic growth and help increase employment opportunities in Palestine.

It has at its disposal DAI's proprietary training services for financial institutions, commercial banks, enterprises, and governments worldwide. DAI consultants, trainers, and courses have provided assistance to hundreds of financial institutions, working with them to expand the technical and business skills of management and staff. The courses set the global standard for bank and business training.

The following are examples of projects being implemented and managed by DAI Palestine staff:

PALESTINE ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT (PED)
Stimulating economic growth, improving employment opportunities, increasing access to markets, and expanding Palestinian exports
Although much progress has been achieved in economic growth issues in the past decade, more work is required to strengthen democratic and market economy institutions and thereby maintain positive momentum in the private sector and in key economic ministries so that the Palestinian economy can compete in the global market. PED leverages USAID's investments by generating bottom-line results for Palestinian businesses in promising growth industry clusters, and by promoting growth of the overall economy by improving the business environment. PED supports a competitive private sector, which in turn invests in a transparent, rules-based business environment for the benefit of all Palestinian society. PED should help drive reform to stimulate investment, exports, and employment for Palestinians and ensure their inclusion in the global economy. While the stated objectives of PED are to "stimulate economic growth in the West Bank and Gaza, improve employment opportunities and income for Palestinians, increase access to markets and expand Palestinian exports to international markets," the deeper significance of PED is its potential to help build a lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis. By creating new jobs, raising living standards, and equipping local businesses to compete in the global economy, PED will give Palestinians everywhere a new sense of hope.

PALESTINE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR (PICTI)
Developing domestic capacity to deliver financial and business development services
One consequence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that is sometimes overlooked is its effect on the economy and economic opportunities for Palestinians. Yet, the expansion of economic opportunity can be viewed as one avenue for easing the crisis in the region. To this end, DAI is supporting the Palestinian Information and Communication Technology Incubator, a for-profit, sustainable institution that is owned and managed by Palestinian professionals and will serve Palestinian companies. The incubator relies on local consultants to deliver services that facilitate the creation of a Palestinian consulting and financial services industry that will support the growth of information, communication, and technology enterprises. With a professional staff based in Ramallah, the incubator has advanced conference and telecommunications infrastructure. Screening criteria such as best growth potential and ability to attract private investment are used to determine entry firms. A business development unit provides business development services and mentors to the firms. The incubator continuously tests the market for new ideas and entrepreneurs. In addition, it builds public recognition, acceptance, and understanding of, as well as support for, the role information technology will play in the growth of the Palestinian economy.

WEST BANK AND GAZA STRENGTHEN LEGISLATIVE CAPACITY AND PROCESSES
Working to create a stable system of self-governance
The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) must establish its credibility as an effective governing institution, which in turn demands expanded internal capacity of the PLC and the broader legislative community. DAI is implementing an issues-based approach that uses real-time policy and legislative priorities as the vehicle for effective capacity building. Starting with the design of a New Member Orientation program, we involve and build the capacity of the PLC's Training and Development Unit to create a sustainable mechanism for continued training. After 2006 legislative elections, DAI will facilitate a participatory design process whereby the PLC and other stakeholders will take ownership of institutional reform and identify high-priority policy issues around which capacity-building activities will circulate. As a result, members, staff, and civil society organizations build parallel, practical skills that they can reuse regardless of the policy issue.