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Trust, Cooperation Will Drive New Trade Effort in West Bank/Gaza
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2008
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Boosting trade in the West Bank and Gaza by improving management of border crossings is the goal of a new, three-year, $12 million program awarded to U.S.-based Chemonics International, Inc.
The Trade Facilitation Project aims to reduce transportation costs for Palestinian shippers by helping them satisfy Israeli packing and shipping requirements while supplying Israeli border control with equipment to speed merchandise inspection. Improved lighting of loading areas, tracking trucks moving from factory to border, and better monitoring of border crossings are among the expected improvements.
By giving Palestinians border-management training, the program aims to improve efficiency and promote Palestinian-Israeli cooperation on border management and security. Howard Sumka, USAID mission director for the West Bank and Gaza, said the goal is to, "find out what the Palestinians are going to need, keep red tape to a bare minimum and make procedures transparent to speed merchandise moving in both directions on to its final destination."
The project will also help shippers and traders cut costs by planning more efficient routes and publicizing processing requirements and scheduling systems to make border crossing faster, less expensive, and more efficient.
Israeli and Palestinian firms will both benefit from the project, which will make it easier to move materials and products in both directions, providing opportunities for mutually beneficial production arrangements. For example, Israeli textiles can be shipped to Palestinian factories for sewing and finishing and then shipped back to Israel and other destinations. The project will also allow for more perishable agricultural exports, particularly to Europe.
USAID is devoted to promoting not only short-term trade, but also long-term investment in the West Bank and Gaza. Promoting and strengthening economic ties between Israelis and Palestinians will lead to better relations in the future.
For more information about USAID and its programs in the West Bank and Gaza, visit www.usaid.gov.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.
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