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. The Portland Trust was founded in London in 2003 by

Sir Ronald Cohen Sir Ronald Mourad Cohen (born 1 August 1945) is an Egyptian-born British businessman and political figure. He is the chairman of The Portland Trust and Bridges Ventures.Klion Forum with Sir Ronald Cohen: "Why Do We Need Social Capital Market ...

, 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 David Anthony Freud, Baron Freud, (born 24 June 1950) is a British politician, life peer, and former investment banker who served as Minister for Welfare Reform from 2010 to 2016. Before he joined the Conservative Party, he was vice-chairman ...

, former Minister for Welfare Reform in the British government and former vice chairman of UBS Investment Banking, and

Mick Davis Sir Michael Lawrence Davis (born 15 February 1958) is a British politician and former South African businessman, former Chief Executive and Treasurer of the Conservative Party and the chief executive (CEO) of Xstrata plc, an Anglo-Swiss multina ...

, 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 between January 2009 and September 2015. Baron Frankal has been the CEO since 2021.

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 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.

Publications

It publishes printed materials on a regular basis, including: * the monthl
Palestinian Economic Bulletin

Beyond Aid: A Palestinian Private Sector Initiative for Investment, Growth and Employment
* Economics and Peacemaking: A paper on Bosnia and Herzegovina * Economics and Peacemaking: A paper on Northern Ireland * Beyond Conflict - 2004 Report * Financing Palestinian SMEs, Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) - September 2005
Economics and Conflict Resolution with the International Institute for Strategic Studies - 2009

Palestinian Exports: Best Practice - December 2008
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Offices

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

Projects

The Portland Trust is involved in a range of projects in Israel and the West Bank including:
Economic Infrastructure
* Affordable Housing Programme A private sector initiative designed to build affordable housing for new communities and neighbourhoods across the West Bank. * Alternative and Renewable Energy The Portland Trust is working with the Palestinian Authority to explore how it could diversify its sources of electricity using renewable energy. * Regional Infrastructure Trunk Council (RITC) A mechanism designed to coordinate regional infrastructure development.
Financial Infrastructure
* Social Investment and Social Finance Innovative financing to deliver sustainable funding for Israel's social sector. * Palestinian Loan Guarantees A facility designed to help small and medium-sized Palestinian firms access finance from the local banking sector. * Private Sector Pensions The establishment of a private sector pension system in the Palestinian Territory. * The Galilee Loan Guarantee Programme A project to support the provision of loan guarantees and technical assistance to smaller businesses in the poorer part of northern Israel. * The Negev and Galilee Loan Guarantee Programme Financial support for loan guarantees and technical assistance to small businesses in the poorer parts of southern and northern Israel. * Private Sector Grant Facility A private sector grant leveraging programme to boost Palestinian economic development. * Palestine Securities Exchange (PEX) Roadshow Helping listed Palestinian companies access potential British investors. * Microfinance A three-year project to strengthen the Palestinian microfinance sector.
Trade and Investment
* Agribusiness Supply Chains 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. * Tourism A programme focused on the development of the local Palestinian tourism sector to meet the needs of domestic and international visitors. * Palestine Investment Conference Encouraging foreign investment into Palestinian businesses. * Handicrafts An assessment of Palestinian handicrafts suitable for export. * Gaza Private Sector Rapid Recovery Analysis of the private sector in Gaza. * Political Risk Insurance Support for the development of a product that reduces political risk to exporting Palestinian companies. * Israeli-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce Encouraging cross-border business interaction and trade. * Moon Valley Agricultural Exports Aiding Palestinian farmers to market their produce to leading supermarkets.
Training and Entrepreneurship
* Tsofen Helping male Israeli-Arab graduates participate in the Israeli hi-tech industry. * Fellowship Programme Addressing the skills gap in different economic sectors in the Palestinian Territory. * Corporate Leadership Programme An interactive programme that brought prominent global business leaders, international corporate trainers and professors to the Palestinian Territory. * Entrepreneurs’ Training A pilot project in the West Bank to help young Palestinians establish new businesses. * On the Way to Business An entrepreneurial training programme to enhance opportunities in the Galilee region.

Notable persons

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(born 1959), chief operating officer of investment trust

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Sources

Memorandum submitted by the Portland Trust to the International Development Select Committees House of Commons UKThe Portland Trust homepage
* http://www.portlandtrust.org/

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Portland Trust Peace organisations based in the United Kingdom Non-governmental organizations involved in the Israeli–Palestinian peace process Organizations established in 2003