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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
VI - Strengthening trade
efficiency: Trade Point Palestine Ramallah
Context and rationale
Despite the growing deficit that continues
to characterize the Palestinian trade sector, there is
increasing evidence that Palestinian exporters are capable of
establishing themselves in regional and international markets
if there are proper support services. Already, a broad range
of trade support services are provided by various
organizations and donor-funded programmes. However, the actual
delivery of trade support services to the business community
is suboptimal, owing to the lack of consolidation and
coordination among ongoing programmes.
In 1995, the PA solicited UNCTAD's
assistance in introducing trade efficiency measures to
intensify the Palestinian enterprises' participation in
foreign trade. On the basis of close consultations with
concerned public and private sectors, a strategy was developed
to consolidate and build upon available trade support services
under the UNCTAD Trade Point programme. The project, budgeted
at US$ 170,000, has been implemented in cooperation with the
PA Ministry of Economy and the private sector in the first
phase.
Objective
To support the PA's efforts in diversifying
external trade and strengthening trade efficiency through the
establishment of a virtual Trade Point that would serve as a
window to regional and international markets. The Trade Point
is expected to be a catalyst in coordinating the delivery of
trade support services to the business community and
encouraging the participation of new companies and
entrepreneurs, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) in foreign trade. It is intended to serve as:
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A trade facilitation centre providing
access to all the support services required by an importer
and/or exporter in order to identify, contact and conclude
profitable business in products and services;
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A source of trade-related information
providing actual and potential traders with information
about business and market opportunities, potential clients
and suppliers, trade regulations and requirements, and
international business conditions;
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A gateway which ensures the successful
participation of traders, especially SMEs, in the emerging
digital economy through their integration into the Global
Trade Point Network (GTPNet).
Main activities
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Assistance in the initial connection of
the Trade Point facilities, including telecommunications
networking, installation of equipment and training of
Trade Point staff and service providers;
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Assistance in the development and
implementation of a marketing strategy for Trade Point
services adapted to local conditions;
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Advice and training in the
establishment of a trade information service at the Trade
Point to serve, in particular small and medium-sized
enterprises (in cooperation with the International Trade
Centre);
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Installation and training in the use of
the PC-based system (Trade Analysis and Information System
-TRAINS) for policy makers and exporters.
Status
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With funding from the Government of Italy
and the UNDP, the Trade Point Palestine/ Ramallah (TPPR) was
established in 1999 to serve the business community throughout
the Palestinian territory. The PA Ministry of Economy and
Trade hosted TPPR during its development phase, which was
completed by early 2000 with the training of staff in
cooperation with other Trade Points in the region.
Trade point Palestine
at its new location with
Paltrade in Ramallah
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Ms. Cecile Barayre
(UNCTAD), H. E. Mahar Masri (PA Minster of Economy and
Trade) and Nassar Nassar (PALTRADE) at
the TPPR launching ceremony.
Once TPPR
was operational and had begun to provide trade information and
facilitation services to a group of Palestinian SMEs, the PA
decided to relocate it in the private sector. On the basis of
a technical assessment of potential private sector hosts, the
Palestinian Trade Centre (PALTRADE) was selected as the most
suitable trade promotion and facilitation organization to
assume the responsibility for sustaining and developing the
Trade Point. In March 2000, the TPPR was formally launched
as an integral part of PALTRADE trade promotional and
facilitation services. |
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Following the move of TPPR to PALTRADE, the
TPPR intended to further expand its customer base and sources
of income, while assisting in opening and exploring new import
and export market opportunities. In the light of specific
needs arising from the Palestinian economic crisis since 2000,
an UNCTAD expert mission was dispatched in November 2001 to
help PALTRADE further develop the TPPR marketing strategy. A
TPPR business plan 2002-2004 was submitted in early 2002 to
PALTRADE which is preparing to implement it in close
cooperation with UNCTAD. To
realize the full potential of this project, follow-up
activities include training and the extension of the Trade
Point concept to link Gaza, for which fresh funds are being
sought. |
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