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Six Emaar-sponsored vehicles for Palestine

DUBAI — Six buses will soon leave Dubai for Gaza as part of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) initiative to upgrade Palestine's Al Mintar / Karni Border Crossing Project.

UNOPS is the implementing agency for many UN development and humanitarian initiatives.

The buses, sponsored by UAE-based Emaar Properties, will start from Dubai and pass through Saudi Arabia and Jordan before being handed over to the Palestinian Presidential Guard, General Mosbah Al Buheisi, who is responsible for the crossing.

The Presidential Guard will accept the buses on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian people at a ceremony.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Phil Lewis, Regional Director of UNOPS, said, "the Karni programme is critical to the economic viability of the Palestinian Authority and the survival and health of the Palestinian people."

This is a cargo-oriented, commercial border crossing that supports trade activities in Gaza. The four 80-seater and two 30-seater buses will help transport border personnel to and from Gaza's most critical cargo crossing where security-related restrictions in the past have affected the flow of goods and supplies into Gaza.

According to a November 15, 2006, bipartite agreement on movement and access, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK are helping improve the crossing to promote economic benefits.

Arif Amiri, director of Investor Relations, Corporate Governance and Business Development, Emaar Properties said, "We recognise that Karni Crossing plays a key role in the rebuilding of Palestine."

• UAE