The research paper aims to investigate and analyze the current situation of wastes elimination of the manufacturing firms in Gaza Strip and its important role for reducing the production cost; in addition it aims to promote lean thinking through studying the seven wastes that are targeted by the lean manufacturing philosophy. Wastes Relations Matrix (WRM) was implemented to analyze the effect of each waste on the other six wastes. The main findings are that lean manufacturing (wastes elimination) affects positively on reducing the production cost for the manufacturing business in Gaza strip.

The researchers examined the effects of public budget deficit on current account in the Palestinian Territories (1996-2012). To determine the appropriate economic tools that can be used to reduce the current account chronic deficit, the nature and components of the Palestinian Authority's expenditures and revenues will be studied. Statistical analysis approach is used to illustrate the impact of public budget deficit on current account. This was implemented after checking the stationary of time series by adopting unit root test (Augmented Dickey Fuller). The study findings confirm the positive relationship between public budget deficit and current account in the Palestinian Territories. It appears that an increase in public budget deficit by one USD million will increase the current account deficit by USD 3.08 million. In addition, balance of trade deficit increased by USD 465.3 thousand when the other independent variables such as government and private investments in the model remain constant.

Abstract:The research paper aimed to identify the impact of micro-grants in the poverty alleviation of Palestinian families in Gaza Strip who suffer from extreme poverty through the transfer of assets to start economic activities to improve their livelihood strategies and provide them with skills and experience to contact Microfinance Institutions taking Deprived Families Economic Empowerment Program (DEEP) as a case study. Results showed positive impact of the program in reducing poverty and unemployment rate, projects are the main source of income for many benefited families, they achieved a rise in their income after getting the grant and improved their expenditure on basic necessities. Poor families also feel that they are more independent after the project, and they can support themselves from their current income. Although these projects have not yet sufficiently developed to be able to dispense relief aid, the political and economic circumstances of the Gaza Strip had a negative effect on the performance of the projects.

Export transportation costs are one of the major obstructions facing the Palestinian economy. The process of moving agricultural goods from the exporter's location in the Gaza Strip to the target market involves significant financial costs as well as costs associated with imperfect information, weak infrastructure, lengthy and uncertain delivery times. The experience of exporters in Gaza Strip proves that, Back-to-Back system at Kerem Shalom crossing point and other procedures imposed by the Israeli occupation has led to an increase in land transport, freight and logistic costs. Consequently, this has caused great losses to the agriculture sector and other economic sectors in the Gaza Strip.

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