The planned expansion of the Erez Industrial Zone by 220 dunam (55 acres) will begin in early 2003, IDF Coordinator of Activities in the Territories economics branch commander Lt.-Col. A. told ''Globes''.
4,500 Palestinians are currently employed by 180 plants at the Erez Industrial Zone, next to the Erez checkpoint. Half the plants are Palestinian-owned and half Israeli.
30 new plants have opened at Erez since the outbreak of the intifada two years ago. Most are owned by Palestinians. Erez's expansion to provide 10,000 Palestinian jobs is intended to meet demand for more jobs at the industrial zone. The expansion plan will soon be deposited.
Hundreds of Israelis also work at Erez. The zone's main industries are textiles, furniture, garages, steel and iron foundries and food. Most plants opened in the past two years are textiles and furniture.
"Palestinian workers go through security checks before entering Erez, as do the Israeli owners coming from inside Israel. This creates common Israeli-Palestinian ground at the industrial zone," said A. "Goods can be easily marketed in Israel, without having to go through the security checks at the Almuntar/Karny crossing."
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on October 7, 2002