Quarterly Economic and Social Monitor No.43, January 2016
We are glad to present to the reader the 43rd issue of the Quarterly Economic and Social Monitor (QESM), which covers developments in the Palestinian economy during the 3th quarter of 2015. In addition to the periodic quarterly data presented in this Monitor, this issue contains five boxes discussing economic and socio-economic issues which were carefully selected to touch upon some of the most topical concerns that have emerged lately both locally and regionally, as reflected in reports, studies, and articles published in the specialized literature. The QESM has maintained its present form for more than a decade now. In its early history, at the beginnings of MAS over twenty years ago, the Economic Monitor was published annually, and a Social Monitor was issued separately biennially. Obviously, the pattern and form of issuance have changed over time as a result of evaluation and development. As representatives of the institutions involved in the issuance of the Monitor, we recognize that time has come to make an assessment of the past period, especially the last five years, in order to further improve this publication in a way that better serves the needs of stakeholders, especially in terms of analysis. Therefore, while work on the next issue, covering the last quarter of 2015, proceeds along the established pattern, we will endeavor to conduct in parallel an assessment with the aim of developing the publication. We hope that the results of the evaluation will be reflected in the issues referring to 2016 data, and meanwhile we will be happy and thankful to receive any critical remarks from our readers that would help us in this endeavor.