STUDY VISITS, SCHOLARSHIPS
To that end, Singapore will continue to tap the S$10 million (US$7.4 million) Enhanced Technical Assistance Package to help the Palestinian Authority build capacity and prepare for eventual statehood, said Dr Balakrishnan.
Palestinian officials will be in Singapore from Jul 8 to Jul 12 for a study visit on using artificial intelligence in the public service.
Singapore has hosted Palestinians delegations for 18 study visits over the years on topics including urban planning and development, and public finance and fiscal policy.
More than 750 officials have also been trained in areas like diplomacy, water management and economic development, said Dr Balakrishnan.
Postgraduate scholarships have also been disbursed to 13 Palestinian officials to study at the Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses were included in the programmes offered under the assistance package in response to feedback that Palestinian officials were interested in them as they can better support development.
The Enhanced Technical Assistance Package was first presented in 2013, and the amount was doubled to S$10 million in 2016.
“We hope that these training opportunities will help Palestinian Authority officials better serve the Palestinian people, as well as equip them with the necessary skills when it comes to the eventual reconstruction of Gaza,” said Dr Balakrishnan.
With regard to a question on training Palestinian officials to aid the reconstruction of Gaza, the minister said Singapore will assess how best to assist bilaterally.
“We stand ready to contribute, taking into account Gaza’s needs and an account of our own resources and expertise, but clearly all this can only take effect when the fighting ceases,” he said. “For now, the focus has to be on securing an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages immediately.”