BETHLEHEM, West Bank, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The United States announced Wednesday it will chip in $75 million to a fund that helps pay for schools and infrastructure projects on the Palestinian West Bank.
Secretary of State John Kerry said in Bethlehem the funding for the Palestinian Authority's High Impact Micro-Infrastructure Initiative would increase the U.S. commitment to the fund to $100 million.
The HIMII helps finance projects such as the construction and maintenance of clinics and schools as well as roads and water systems.
The State Department said in a written statement the infrastructure initiative was a keystone of a long-range strategy to improve the PA economy and living conditions, which would help lay the groundwork for an eventual peace agreement with neighboring Israel.
"HIMII is part of a broader economic effort to support the Palestinian economy, which also includes direct budget support, debt relief and private sector investment," the statement said. "The United States views the economic track as a vital complement to the ongoing direct final status negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians."
The State Department said Germany has agreed to contribute more than $10 million for the infrastructure projects.
"We are optimistic that more countries will join us in investing," the statement said.
