Kerry says plan is emerging to boost Palestinian economy
US Secretary of State John Kerry, left, speaks with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas at the World Economic Forum at the King Hussein Convention Centre in Jordan on May 26, 2013.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Jordan Sunday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair are making progress on a plan to develop an independent Palestinian economy.
More from GlobalPost: Kerry heads back to Israel for fourth time since February, continuing 'peace push'
While he offered few specific details on the plan, Kerry said the initiative would be "bigger, bolder and more ambitious" than anything since the Oslo accords, according to the Guardian.
Kerry and Blair are working with a group of global business leaders to craft the plan to increase business activity in Palestine.
The plan is expected to expand employment in tourism, construction, light manufacturing, agriculture and communications, the Associated Press reported.
Currently, 40 percent of the Palestinian economy comes from donor aid, the Guardian reported.
Kerry said parallel progress in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, including restarting peace talks, is required for the economic plan to work.
The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?