Palestine’s former high economic system official pressured a significant surge in commerce between his nation and Türkiye, which reached over practically $1 billion during the last 5 years.
Former Economy Minister Khaled al-Osaily underscored the pivotal function of Türkiye in bolstering bilateral industrial ties.
Al-Osaily, who had frequented Türkiye even earlier than assuming workplace, emphasised the distinctive rapport between Palestinian authorities and Turkish counterparts, notably lauding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s steadfast assist for Palestine’s trigger.
He recalled Erdoğan’s highly effective advocacy throughout a gathering involving 58 Islamic nations, the place consideration was drawn to the Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
During his tenure, commerce between Palestine and Türkiye elevated by a mean of 15% per 12 months over the previous 5 years, he advised Anadolu Agency (AA).
“If I compare 2020 with 2023, we have seen a 48% increase in trade. We have reached a trade volume of almost $1 billion between Palestine and Türkiye,” he stated.
However, the official figures for commerce between Türkiye and Palestine don’t mirror the true quantity, he famous.
“The official trade volume between Palestine and Türkiye is $1 billion. But the real figure is perhaps twice that. The reason for this is Israel’s insistence that the destination on the bill of landing be Israel,” he added.
“If it is written here as the West Bank or Palestine, an additional tax of about 12% has to be paid. Our importers write the destination as Israel in order to reduce the cost and try to compete. This is one of the reasons why these figures do not reflect the reality,” he stated.
Palestine’s highest commerce quantity is with Israel as a result of occupation, and Türkiye is Palestine’s primary buying and selling associate after that.
He highlighted the seen presence of Turkish merchandise in Palestinian markets, attributing it to his encouragement of Turkish companies to determine franchises in Palestine throughout his tenure.
“If you go to any supermarket or retail store here, you will see that a large majority of the products are Turkish,” he stated.
He praised the standard and affordability of Turkish items, considerably impacting the native market.
Many Turkish manufacturers might be seen in Palestine, he stated, expressing satisfaction with the rise in relations with Türkiye throughout his tenure as a minister. He additionally stated that he expects commerce relations to extend additional.
He stated he had glorious relations with all of the ministers in Türkiye throughout his tenure.
Regarding future prospects, al-Osaily expressed optimism, particularly with initiatives just like the potential enhance in knowledge exports to Türkiye and the completion of the Jenin Industrial Zone, providing Turkish corporations advantageous funding alternatives.
Gaza market
Shedding gentle on Gaza’s financial woes, he stated the Gaza market constitutes 40% of Palestine’s economic system however suffers a 95% unemployment charge amid manufacturing declines and business closures.
Before the current battle, Gaza facilitated exports to the West Bank, however wartime disruptions exacerbated financial hardships, he stated.
Explaining that money move and overseas trade are restricted as a result of lack of a lot of the revenue, he stated that Israel beforehand obtained 80% of the tax funds obtained from the import of merchandise.
Moreover, stringent import licensing necessities, overseen by Israel, impede financial actions, compounding the area’s monetary woes.
Goods should cross by way of Israel
All imported items destined for Palestine should first transit by way of Israeli ports, leading to extended delays and elevated prices, he stated.
“All imported products come to the Israeli port and pass through customs. So they have to come via Israel. Some products are checked by the Israeli standards authority, and for Israeli importers, this takes less than a day. This can take weeks for us. When it takes weeks, it becomes more expensive. “We can not compete as a result of we incur additional prices,” he stated.
Al-Osaily highlighted bureaucratic hurdles, comparable to well being certificates necessities and the mandate to listing Israel as the ultimate vacation spot on cargo invoices.
Even Palestinian-Israeli residents face related obstacles when importing items, necessitating adherence to Israeli rules, he stated.
However, al-Osaily praised Türkiye for granting exceptions to Palestine in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, permitting important imports and exports regardless of world restrictions.
The former minister emphasised Türkiye’s essential function in facilitating commerce, notably in supplying important well being care merchandise and medicines to Palestine, demonstrating unwavering assist throughout difficult occasions.
Source: www.dailysabah.com