Economy Gaza City

gazan wool carpet



gaza park, 2012

the major agricultural products strawberries, citrus, dates, olives, flowers, , various vegetables. pollution , high demand water have reduced productive capacity of farms in gaza strip. small-scale industries include production of plastics, construction materials, textiles, furniture, pottery, tiles, copperware, , carpets. since oslo accords, thousands of residents have been employed in government ministries , security services, unrwa , international organizations. minor industries include textiles , food processing. variety of wares sold in gaza s street bazaars, including carpets, pottery, wicker furniture, , cotton clothing. upscale gaza mall opened in july 2010.

many gazans worked in israeli service industry when border open, after israel s 2005 disengagement gaza strip, source of jobs disappeared.

a report human rights , development groups published in 2008 stated gaza had suffered long term pattern of economic stagnation , dire development indicators, severity increased exponentially israeli , egyptian blockades. report cited number of economic indicators illustrate point: in 2008, 95% of gaza s industrial operations suspended due lack of access inputs production , export problems. in 2009, unemployment in gaza close 40%. private sector generates 53% of jobs in gaza devastated , businesses went bankrupt. in june 2005, 3,900 factories in gaza employed 35,000 people, december 2007, 1,700 still employed. construction industry paralyzed tens of thousands of laborers out of work. agriculture sector hard hit, affecting 40,000 workers dependent on cash crops.

gaza s food prices rose during blockade, wheat flour going 34%, rice 21%, , baby powder 30%. in 2007, households spent average of 62% of total income on food, compared 37% in 2004. in less decade, number of families depending on unrwa food aid increased tenfold. in 2008, 80% of population relied on humanitarian aid in 2008 compared 63% in 2006. according report oxfam in 2009, gaza suffered serious shortage of housing, educational facilities, health facilities , infrastructure, along inadequate sewage system contributed hygiene , public health problems.

following significant easing of closure policy in 2010, economy of gaza began see substantial recovery anemic levels during height of blockade. economy of gaza grew 8% in first 11 months of 2010. economic activity largely supported foreign aid donations. there number of hotels in gaza, including palestine, grand palace, adam, al-amal, al-quds, cliff, al-deira , marna house. all, except palestine hotel, located along in coastal rimal district. united nations (un) has beach club on same street. gaza not frequent destination tourists, , foreigners stay in hotels journalists, aid workers, un , red cross personnel. upmarket hotels include al-quds , al-deira hotel.

in 2012, unemployment dropped 25 percent.

in november 2012, report palestinian chamber of commerce called gaza strip recognized economic disaster area after concluded israeli operation pillar of defense caused approximately $300 million in economic damage.