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The PSC held an Import & Export procedures workshop for Palestinian Cooperative Organizations
In Cooperation with the Institute for Community Partnership – Bethlehem University, the Palestinian Shippers Council organized a two days workshop highlighting the Incoterms, customs, import, and Export Procedures; in addition to the obstacles faced by the Palestinian importers and exporters; in an effort to raise the awareness of the participants and provide them with up to date information regarding the shipping and Logistical procedures. The Workshop was held on the 13th and 14th of June 2010 at the City Inn hotel in Ramallah, whereas 30 members from around 30 different Palestinian cooperative organizations across the West Bank have participated.
The Palestinian Shippers Council graduated the first group of trainers
The Palestinian Shippers Council celebrated the graduation of the first group of trainers on 20th of December 2009. The program is entitled " training of trainers - Supply Chain program - Advanced Import & Export" and funded by the Czech government; the program aimed to build the logistics capabilities and training skills of Palestinian cadres PCS' chairwoman attended the ceremony in addition to the board member, Majed Hirbawi. These cadres are enabled through this program to increase the level of knowledge, skills and competence in all matters relating to import and export, which enhanced their knowledge in logistics to be able to transfer this knowledge in Arabic to Palestinian businesses and raise the efficiency of staff working in these companies. The graduates are: Lina El-Hathweh - Manal Saad - Nariman masleh - Bader Rock- Bahjet Ladadweh - Anan Boshnak- Ammar Dariyah- Ammar Kaloti- Amr Ziadeh- Moatez Shareef - Mahmoud Sulaiman . The Graduation will be followed by a series of training courses for Palestinian traders.
PSC conducts a Study tour to Jordan
The Palestinian Shippers' Council (PSC) conducted a visit to Jordan on 28th of July 2009, sponsored by the European Commission and in co-operation with Paltrade as part of the trade corridors project. PSC's delegation was represented by the chairwoman & the board members; in addition to other shippers. The delegation visited Al-Zarqa free zone and Aqaba Special economic zone and had discussions with a number of officials regarding the importance of cooperation between both parties to overcome obstacles. A workshop was held in regards of trade facilitation in the presence of governmental officials from the Palestinian and Jordanian sides who recommended to raise the level of cooperation and agreed upon discussing these recommendations through the joint Jordanian Palestinian economic committee meetings, in addition to activate the role of international organizations in order to remove the Israeli obstacles facing the Palestinian trade.
PSC held a meeting with Mr. Antonio Tajanai
Members of the Board of directors and the General Manager of the Palestinian Shippers' Council held a meeting with Mr. Antonio Tajani, Vice-President Commissioner for Transport of the European Commission, together with other EU official representatives during Mr. Tajani's visit to the region last Tuesday January 27th, 2009. The meeting discussed the Israeli ongoing constraints imposed on Palestinians Shippers' access to and from International Markets starting from the excessive restrictions of movement inside the West Bank and the countless obstacles encountered in their attempt to move goods through commercial crossings points. In addition, the obstacles through the external routes were discussed including Haifa and Ashdod ports, Ben Gurion Airport, Allenby bridge and Gaza-Rafah crossings with a lot of emphasis on the critical need to open Gaza crossings for both Passenger & Cargo movement. Several solutions and improvements were proposed & discussed in the meeting.
Moving towards Paperless Trade Documents for Palestinian Imports and Exports Workshop
In cooperation with UNCTAD, PSC held a workshop about 'towards Paperless Trade Documents for Palestinian Imports and Exports' in Ramallah on October, 8th 2008. The workshop included presentations by two UNCTAD experts and one expert from the UNECE on trade facilitation, import and export procedures, transit, electronic documents for trade and Single Window, and was attended by approximately 80 representatives of the private sector, government agencies and international organization. The presentations were well received, and participants expressed their appreciation of being exposed to modern trends and solutions. The workshop also featured a discussion of existing overland transport and customs procedures, which continue to inflate transaction costs facing Palestinian traders. The participants reported a state of confusion as to the exact procedures governing Palestinian trade activities, pointing out the shifting nature of these procedures in the light of the ever tightening of Israeli movement restrictions both within the oPt and at main border crossings. The workshop ended with the adoption of a number of specific conclusions to foster the Council's trade facilitation efforts.
Pharmacare Pharmaceuticals exported the first shipment to Germany under the supervision of the Palestinian Shippers Council
Pharmacare (Dar Al Shifa) Pharmaceuticals co. and under the supervision of the Palestinian Shippers Council succeeded on 24/6/2008 to export the first shipment of medicines (pain killers) from Palestine to Germany through Allenby Bridge. The consignment passed smoothly through the bridge into Jordan and was then transferred to Queen Alia Airport to its final destination "Germany". The process was accomplished with very competitive prices and within a reasonable time.
PSC's delegation conducts a tour to Jordan
In cooperation with UNCTAD, the European Union and the Jordanian Representative; PSC delegation concluded a one week tour to Jordan. The delegation conducted several site visits including Al-Karama Bridge on the Israeli side; King Hussein Bridge; Al-aqaba Special Economic Zone; Al-Aqaba container terminal and the new ports. In addition, the delegation met with officials at Amman's Chamber of Commerce, the Jordanian customs and Queen Alia Airport. During the tour, the delegation discussed the problems encountered by the Palestinian importers and exporters, especially those in Gaza. The outcomes of this tour will be followed up with the concerned Palestinian Ministries; in addition, other international visits will be conducted.
PSC held a small workshop at Nablus Chamber of Commerce & Industry
In cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture in Nablus and "ASYCUDA", the Palestinian Shippers' Council held a workshop in chamber's offices, on 28/5/2005. The workshop highlighted the council's establishment, its objectives, achievements & membership; in addition to the problems & obstacles that the Palestinian importers and exporters are facing. Nearly 30 members attended the workshop.
The second International logistics & Transportation Conference & Exhibition in Israel
The Palestinian shippers' council participated in the International logistics & Transportation Conference & Exhibition in Israel, for the second year, which was launched in Lod on 27&28/2/2008. 25 of PSC's members participated in the second day. The exhibition included a display by leading companies and organizations from the fields of shipping, airfreight, logistics and courier services. There were three specialist sessions including participants from leading shipping and logistics companies worldwide, and experts in these fields from Israel and elsewhere. Majdi Haj Khalil, PSC's General Manager presented the shippers attendees with current dilemmas and difficulties facing Gaza strip.
Promoting Euro-Mediterranean Trade Facilitation Seminar and launch of trade facilitation program
In the first event of its kind, representatives from the Palestinian and Israeli private sector and officials from both sides joined forces on 13/12/2007 in a seminar in Jerusalem, entitled Promoting Euro-Mediterranean Trade Facilitation,to explore ways of improving trading relations. Financed by the European Union, and co-hosted by the European Commission Technical Assistance Office, the Palestinian Shippers Council and the Peres Center for Peace, the seminar brought together senior officials from the Palestinian Authority and a number of Israeli Ministries, including representatives from the Customs department, and the Ministries of Transport, Trade and Foreign Affairs. Representatives from both Israeli and Palestinian Chambers of Commerce were also present, as well as from private business associations. The Standards Institutes of both Israel and the PA also took part, building on existing co-operation between them.
The European Commission also signed an agreement "Trade Corridors' Project", with the Palestine Trade Centre (PalTrade) and the Palestinian Shippers’ Council (PSC), to help promote Palestinian trade with neighbouring Arab countries and improve market access for Palestinian products;
Advanced workshop on Import procedures
The Palestinian Shippers Council organized an advanced workshop on procedures on the 5th & 6th of December 2007 in Tel Aviv. The council arranged an overnight stay for the participants, whereas nearly 30 members participated. Several subjects concerning shippers were discussed including: calculation of Purchase tax, VAT and customs. The workshop included a field visit to Logisticare in Lod.
Advanced workshop on Import procedures
The Palestinian Shippers Council organized an advanced workshop on import procedures on the 20th & 21st of November 2007 in Tel Aviv. The council arranged an overnight stay for the participants, whereas nearly 30 members participated. Several subjects concerning shippers were discussed including: calculation of Purchase tax, VAT and customs. The workshop included a field visit to Logisticare in Lod.
The Visit of the Palestinian Shippers Council to Egypt
In cooperation with UNCTAD, the European Union, Egyptian Foreign Ministry, and the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy; PSC delegation concluded a one week tour to Egypt; in which the delegation conducted several meetings with the Egyptian officials;
Visited vital logistical facilities, Egyptian airports, Alsokhneh port, Al'areesh port, Port Saed and Rafah international border crossing. During the visit, several issues were discussed, including certificate of origin, using the Egyptian borders, ports and airports for Palestinian imports and exports; co-ordination of cargo entry to Gaza or West bank through the Egyptian customs and the opening of a branch in Aloja border; and facilitating the issuance of visa for young entrepreneurs.
The participation of
the Palestinian Shippers Council at the FIATA 2007 in Dubai
In cooperation with UNCTAD and the European Union, PSC
delegation concluded a one week tour to Dubai; in which the
delegation attended the Conference of FIATA 2007; taking in
consideration that this is the first time that a Palestinian
delegation attend such conference.
Several issues were discussed at the conference, including
regional & international trade facilitation issues; trade
security and customs laws. It was highlighted during the
conference the importance of an independent trading spectrum for
Palestine, therefore the trade corridors through Rafah and the
Allenby Bridge borders were the core issues for such
independence and shall allow Palestinians to trade directly
through the neighboring Arab and international ports. In
addition, it was suggested to establish a Palestinian Clearing
Agents Federation. Several meetings were conducted involving PSC
and Arab logistical companies and organizations.
New training workshop in Tel Aviv
In co-operation with the Peres Center for Peace, a Training workshop will be held on Import & Export procedures through the Israeli Borders (Second level) on 20-21/11/2007 and on 5-6/12/2007.
International Study Tours
The PSC will organize two international study tours to Dubai and Egypt on 17th of October & 4th of November 2007 respectively.
Survey on the Effect of Closure on Palestinian/EU Trade Volume
PSC conducted a Survey on the Effect of Closure on Palestinian/EU Trade Volume in which it concluded that the Gaza situation is hitting hard the trading operation with European Countries. Therefore, all concerned international, local and Israeli parties should be urged to do more in order to avert an inevitable economic and social crisis.
General Assembly meeting
The Council held the General Assembly (GA) meeting on 25/6/2007, in which the first board of directors was elected for year 2007. The meeting was held in Best Eastern Hotel, Ramallah and Grand Palace Hotel, Gaza, with videoconference links.
GA members approved the administrative and financial reports and the amendments of the bylaws. Thereafter, the preparatory committee resigned and acquitted the financial disclosure. Moreover, GA members also approved the appointment of a legal adviser and an auditor for the Council as soon as possible. Members didn’t vote neither in the west bank nor in Gaza strip.
The Palestinian Shippers Council's visit to the sites of security screening at Ashdod
The Palestinian Shippers Council organized a workshop on import and export procedures on the 12th & 13th of June 2007 in Tel Aviv. The council arranged an overnight stay for the participants, whereas nearly 30 members participated.
Several subjects concerning shippers were discussed including: Incoterm 2000 and import, export and custom procedures.
The workshop included a field visit to the customs office at Ashdod port in which the participants were introduced to the procedures and mechanisms of the Israeli customs and clearance. Participants also visited the customs scanner.
Visit to the professional exhibition for car fleets, mass transportation, spare
parts & equipment for garages.
PSC and Peres Center managed to organize a trip to 10 PSC members to attend Technocar professional exhibition in Tel Aviv in the fields of acquisition, management & treatment of car fleets and garages. Members will attend on the 15th of May 2007
The First Annual General Assembly
Members of the PSC's General Assembly had gathered in a meeting which was held on Saturday, 24 March 2007, in Ramallah and Gaza with videoconference links between the two venues. The first session included speeches from Mrs. Maha Abu Shusheh, Chairwoman of PSC, Mr. Khaled Al-Wadiah, Deputy Chairman Mr. John Kjaer, the European Commission Representative and Mr. Mahmoud Al-Khafif, UNCTAD, who highlighted the project's achievements through the efforts of the Prep Com, Management and Partners. Mr. Majdi Haj Khalil, the PSC's General Manager, has presented the project's progress, faced challenges and achievements of year 2006.
The PSC decided to postpone the elections for two months following the democratic vote of its members in order to revise the audited financial report, which will be sent to all members once UNCTAD has finalized it.
The International logistics & Transportation Conference & Exhibition in Israel
The Palestinian shippers' council participated in the International logistics & Transportation Conference & Exhibition in Israel, which was launched in Tel Aviv last Tuesday 13.2.2007 for two days.
During the first day, a number of sessions were conducted and combined many important topics such as the regional Transportations Infrastructure, Israeli ports: the Vision and the Reality, and Air transportations. Further more many topics about the problems that face all shippers, importers and exporters were discussed.
Majdi Haj Khalil PSC's General Manager presented the audience with a taste of some of the major problems and difficulties that the Palestinian shippers are encountering through Israeli Commercial Border Crossing, He elaborated on the unusually high cost of transporting containers or goods from Ashdod/West Bank to Karni –Gaza.
Mr Haj Khalil met with Gidon Siterman, Director General of the Israeli ministry of Transportation and Road Safety and Mr. Yoram Shappira, Deputy Director General, Border Terminals & Domestic Airports, in order to discuss the issue of Karni crossing.
Mr. Siterman will follow up the issue with the relative authorities and Mr Shappira will supply PSC will all needed information on quantities, description and number of trucks that book a turn for Karni.
PSC’s First Annual Technical Conference
PSC held its first annual Technical Conference on the 20th of January 2007, in association with Paltrade, UNCTAD and funded from the European Commission. The Technical Conference brought together the Palestinian shippers and relevant governmental and non-governmental institutions for a one-day interactive dialogue with national and international experts on solutions to the complex Palestinian trade facilitation problems. The Conference was held Ramallah and Gaza via videoconference link.
The news archive of 2006 is available here.
