Jerusalem, Dec 06: Top level representatives of the Palestinian public and private economic sector will participate in this year's Israel business conference in Tel Aviv, commencing today. Their hefty turnout for the three-day event, against the backdrop of an imminent Palestinian ceasefire tacitly including Israel, sends a strong signal that the Palestinian business community wants to renew economic ties with the Jewish state, reported Israeli business daily globes.

Palestinian authority ministers and deputy ministers of finance, economy and trade, planning, labour and agriculture will participate in a delegation headed by top Palestinian economist and director of the centre for private sector development, Dr. Hiham Awartani of an Najab University (Nablus).

Also attending will be executives of Palestine Development and Invetment Ltd. (PADICO), a holding company with assets in factories, construction, real estate and hotel property.

The conference, highlighting a special Italian-Israeli workshop on agricultural R&D, will focus on the hi-tech sector, Israeli banking, relations with the European Union and internet and cellular communications. Bureau Report