Ramallah, West Bank – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in coordination with PA and Israeli Customs, hosted a graduation ceremony to acknowledge the participants of the latest joint Palestinian-Israeli Customs training course. The USAID-funded Trade Facilitation Project (TFP) organized the in-depth training sessions in classification and tariff, developed by technical and professional specialists from the Israeli Customs Administration for thirty officials from the Palestinian Authority's Customs, Excise, and VAT Department. The training took place in Jerusalem.

The intensive 4-week session was the latest in a series of programs to build the capacity of the PA and build vital relationships between the two agencies.

Building trust and cooperation between the agencies is a necessary step in encouraging and facilitating bilateral trade, which will promote improved economic activity for both Palestinian and Israeli businesses.

Mr. Hatem Yousef, Director General of the Palestinian Authority Customs Administration, said, "the training is building the capacity and professionalism of Palestinian Customs in accordance with the PA's overall vision to modernize its customs procedures and administration in accordance to international best practices." He added that improved capacity and professionalism within PA Customs will promote fair treatment for Palestinian businesses, increase PA revenue, and promote economic development.

The purpose of the training was to teach Palestinian customs officers how to properly classify goods and administer tariff rules under a variety of circumstances. This will help Customs properly determine the revenue it is due and collect accurate trade statistics. The sessions are also crucial to strengthening the professional relationships between the two sides that will ultimately help enhance economic development.

Israeli officials were also pleased with the continued collaboration and opportunity to share their knowledge and experience. The Head of the Israel Customs Directorate of the Israel Tax Authority, Mr. Doron Arbely, noted that the Israel Tax Authority is committed to assisting and supporting the PA Customs Department to build its capacity to operate as a modern and advanced customs authority. Mr. Arbely noted that the contact between the PA and Israel is extremely important to the economies of both nations, and that only true and fruitful cooperation between the customs authorities can assist the importers and exporters they serve, thereby advancing the two economies.