Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty travelled to the West Bank today as part of a trade mission to the Middle East.He was joined by Economic Development and Trade Minister, Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Dr. Eric Hoskins, MPP Monte Kwinter, MPP David Zimmer and several business delegates.

During a lunch with political and business leaders, McGuinty committed to exploring new ways in which to build upon existing collaborative relationships between Palestinian and Ontario Universities. Although partnerships already exist in a variety of fields, including engineering, environmental sciences, justice and health, it is beneficial to expand into other areas of mutual interest.

Representatives from York University, the University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario and McMaster University were part of the trade mission to the West Bank.

Later, in Ramallah, the Premier met with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Salam Fayyad, where they discussed ways to improve trade between Ontario and the West Bank and continue to build on shared development, knowledge creation and strengthening links between universities.

The Premier also visited Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest churches in the world.