economic development - Fact Sheet

April 2009

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The Palestinian Integrated Trade Arrangement (PITA) provides technical assistance and security technology to address supply chain management in critical trade corridors with a focus on commercial cargo transport into and out of the West Bank and Gaza. The project has two components: 1) Consensus Building and Institutional Development; and, 2) Security Enhancement and Implementation that address the primary objectives to:

• Facilitate a continuing dialogue between the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the private sector on policies, systems, standards, and procedures for trade facilitation.

• Procure and oversee the deployment of new security equipment and management, IT, and training systems at key crossing points to allow more rapid and secure inspection of goods.

• Provide technical support and training to Palestinian private sector representatives and relevant sections of the Palestinian Authority involved in policy analysis, information dissemination, customs-reform, and institution-building to improve the environment for transport and trade.

PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Scanners and Facility Upgrades - The PITA project procured several types of equipment designed to ensure security while enhancing cargo movement at crossings. PITA led an extremely complex procurement effort to first lease and then purchase cargo x-ray scanners to help support the requirements of the Agreement on Movement and Access. Four scanners were leased for more than one year while an additional five mobile scanners were procured under competitive tender. Supporting scanner installation works and other facility upgrades have been completed at West Bank and Gaza crossings under the project. During 2008 alone, more than 60,000 export trucks were scanned at three West Bank crossings (Tarqumia, Jalameh, and Sha’ar Ephraim/Tulkarm) by PITA-funded scanners.

• Known-Trader Program - The concept of a “known-trader” risk management program for West Bank/Gaza was first developed in June 2007. PITA initiated a sizeable consensus-building and lobbying effort. The Government of Israel has launched a pilot program and the Trade Facilitation Project will continue to support its expansion as a means to improve security while reducing time and costs for shippers.

• Joint Palestinian/Israeli Customs Trainings - The project supported four in-depth technical trainings by the Israeli Customs Department for the PA Customs Department which lead to increases in revenue generation by an estimated $50 million.

• Movement and Access Support - PITA provided support to understand and address private business movement and access issues including checkpoints and roadblocks.

• Israeli Border Management Delegation in the United States - PITA supported a USAID and US Department of State sponsored visit by an Israeli delegation to the US Customs and Border Protection headquarters and border facilities in with Canada and Mexico. The delegation observed risk management and other processes and procedures related to cargo and people movement and committed to evaluate potential applications to Israeli crossings with the West Bank.