Special points of interest

	PSC was launched on April 11th 2006.
	Established offices in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
	Four free days of storage was extended to 6 days at ports.

Inside this issue

	Message from the       Chairperson
	Message from the Manager
	The structure of  the PSC
	Summary of Roles & Services
	Importance of the Shippers’ Councils Worldwide
	Workshops
	PSC’s Achievements
	Work in Progress

Message from Mrs. Maha Abu Shusheh, PSC Chairperson

It is with great honor that I announce the establishment of the Palestinian Shippers' Council (PSC), to represent and protect the interests of Palestinian shippers (importers and exporters) that are end-users of maritime shipping, air freight and land transport.  The PSC core purpose is to solve problems facing Palestinian traders at regional and international ports, and reduce transaction costs accrued at major crossing points.

 The PSC has already succeeded in increasing the number of free storage days accorded to Palestinian traders at Israeli ports from 4 to 6 days. Future plans involve establishing agreements with shipping companies, regional and international forwarders, customs brokers and warehouse operators to obtain competitive rates and predictable transport conditions.

The PSC will also furnish Palestinian shippers with accurate and timely information on ports, maritime and other conditions affecting merchandise trade, customs rules, regulations and rates. It will build relationships with major shippers’ council across the globe , provide training to its members on international shipping / transport issues and promote integrated logistical solutions for trading companies, in addition to representing the shippers’ views on transport policies.

I would like to thank the European Commission and its Technical Assistance Office (ECTAO) in Jerusalem for its financial support and the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for its technical support. My sincere thanks also go to PalTtrade that will be hosting the PSC till the end of this year and for the members of the Preparatory Committee.

Message from Mr. Majdi Haj Khalil, PSC General Manager 

Getting the voice of Palestinian traders heard is not an easy task. Getting your proposals accepted and acted upon is even harder. The PSC intends to take on these challenges and bring concerned parties around the table to find real, workable solutions to problems, concerns and issues.

 Our strength as an institution and your strength as the backbone of the trade community will make the PSC a formidable voice for the Palestinian shippers' community around the world. We are confident that with your support, along with the constructive and pragmatic nature of our policies and initiatives, we will be able to make a real difference.

 If you want your voice heard, your views listened to, and your needs catered for, you should be part of the PSC. No matter how small or large your trade operations are, we will be there for you.