Searching for new markets
If Palestinian companies have their way, “Made in Palestine” will soon be seen in more homes around the world. The Palestine Trade Center (Paltrade) recently brought together 30 companies that export around the world to show potential customers what they can offer.
“Building and promoting the image and reputation of Palestine as a supplier of quality products and services is one of the key national export strategy objective”, Hanan Taha, CEO of Paltrade told The Media Line. “The week aims to focus on the obstacles to Palestinian exports, and to stimulate national industries to increase exports.”
Exports have long lagged behind imports to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In 2012, the last year for which figures are available, Palestinian imports were $3.83 billion, while exports lagged far beyond at $739 million. Almost three-quarters of those imports came from Israel, followed by Turkey and China.
Israel also bought 90 percent of Palestinian exports, including raw materials and produce. Organizers of the exhibit hope to expand the exports to the US and Europe. It comes as European countries are considering labeling Israeli goods made in areas that Israel acquired in 1967, an initiative that Israel strongly rejects.
Taha said that representatives of international companies were invited to the trade fair to learn about Palestinian national products, which are already exported to more than 100 countries. Palestinian officials have said they want to increase their level of exports by 13 percent each year over the next five years.
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah said that increasing exports is one of the best ways to fight the “Israeli occupation.”
“I’ve always had a practical response to violations of the Israeli occupation, by focusing on further institutionalizing the work of building our state,” Hamdallah said. “We hope to diversify sources of public revenue and promote self-capacity and the optimum use of available resources. We will also reduce dependence on Israel in imports and exports.”
He said Palestinians have recently established the Palestinian Council for exports, as an advisory body to the government. He said the Palestinian Authority tried to use local products as much as possible.
The Canadian representative to the Palestinian territories, Catherine Ferret Frechette, said Canada is encouraging Palestinian exports and currently has agreements with 18 companies, including the Alhijaz chocolate company, a relatively new company.
“We hope to facilitate Palestinain exports by identifying new markets,” she said. “We have already seen success in advancing the industrial sector and creating more employment.”
She said Canada hopes to be working with 80 companies by 2018.
Israel still controls the borders of the West Bank, and exports must be approved and facilitated by Israel. Palestinian officials say Israel often sets up obstacles to free movement for goods. Israeli officials counter that they are trying to encourage Palestinian economic independence, as long as it does not endanger Israeli security.
Palestinian economic analyst Talaat Alawi said that the Arab world could be an important market.
“The biggest obstacle to increasing exports is the Israeli occupation,” Alawi told The Media Line. “The Palestinian Authority has to cooperate with Israel, and Israel often creates difficulties.”