The function of the Ministry of National Economy is to create an economically enabling environment for private sector development. This is expressed in its three strategic objectives:

  • Provide a wide range of high quality services responsive to private sector needs.
  • Coordinate with the private sector to form a national consensus on economic policy.
  • Help expand trade relations between Palestine and other countries.

The Ministry’s operations are carried out through the following departments:

  • Policy Analysis and Statistics.
  • Company Registration and Industrial Licenses.
  • Intellectual Property Rights.
  • Industry, Trade and Consumer Services.
  • IT, MIS and Information & Internet/web Services.
  • International Trade Relations.
  • Regional Office Management – West Bank.
  • Regional Office Management – Gaza Strip.

Contact:
Tel: + 970 2 2981218
Fax: +970 2 2981207
Email: info@met.gov.ps
Website: www.mne.gov.ps

The Palestinian Investment Promotion Agency (PIPA) was created in accordance with Law No. 1 of 1998, encouraging investment in Palestine as a sovereign and independent entity.

The law provides investors with guarantees, procedures and incentives for rewarding investments in Palestine within a climate that is free from bureaucracy, routines and complications. PIPA is the concrete interpretation of the vision of the PNA and implements policies for the promotion of the private sector and an environment conducive to investment.

PIPA’s Message

The agency works on building a better future for all Palestinians by providing advanced services to local and foreign investors; by easing communication between the private and public sectors; and by creating a one–stop-shop for investor services. It also provides rewarding incentives for investment and ensures a competitive investment environment in Palestine.

The Partnership between the public and private sectors in the management of PIPA:

The agency’s board is made up of thirteen members, five from the private sector and eight from the public sector. The Minister of National Economy chairs the board, and the vice-chair is the representative of the Ministry of Finance.

Having members from both the private and public sectors represented in the board is important to ensure the necessary cooperation to monitor and implement necessary amendments to the laws and procedures that could impede investment in Palestine. The board also puts in place and recommends the necessary policies to create a conducive climate for investment, and contributes to the implementation of the necessary policies and procedures to achieve a competitive position for Palestine within the global market. The public sector members of the board effectively communicate internal changes made within their respective ministries including the ministries of Tourism, Industry, Housing, Planning, Agriculture, and the Monetary Authority.

The solid cooperation between the public and private sectors, in the board enables the Agency to pursue a unified promotional strategy that benefits all the economic productive sectors.

Contact Info:
Ain Misbah, Ramallah, Palestine P.O Box 1984
Telephone: +970 2 2988791 Fax: +970 2 2988793
Email: info@pipa.gov.ps Website: www.pipa.gov.ps

PIEFZA was established in 1998 as an independent agency of the PNA, following the promulgation of the Industrial Estates and Free Zones Law. The objectives and responsibilities of the Authority are outlined in this law and include the following:

  • Putting into effect and following up the Industrial Estates and Free Zones Law and the Investment Promotion Law in favor of investors in Palestinian Industrial Estates and Free Zones.
  • Preparing, promoting and supervising the development of all Palestinian Industrial Estates and Free Zones.
  • Providing investors with the necessary services for starting a successful business. Setting up good quality infrastructure necessary to support new investment activities. Offering a one-stop-shop to simplify investment procedures and minimize bureaucratic requirements.

Contact:
Tel: +970 2 29809912
Fax: +970 2 2960351
E-mail: info@piefza.org
Website: www.piefza.org

The PSI is a public institution founded in 1994 to facilitate trade and investment in the OPT by meeting the needs of business and industry for metrology, standards and quality assessment. PSI headquarters is located in Ramallah city and has branches in Gaza, Hebron and Nablus. The PSI seeks to advance citizens’ health and safety and environmental protection and is currently developing a new legal framework for quality infrastructure in Palestine. The PSI provides a range of services to business start-ups and existing firms to ensure their compliance with quality standards and specifications. It provides access to national and global standards, accredited testing facilities, product calibration and certification and continuous inspection services.

The institution also provides training in different areas related to its scope of work and disseminates information on local and international measurement standards. Finally, the PSI seeks to promote cooperation between the public, private and academic sectors to encourage investment in the fields of product examination, measurement, specification and quality.

Contact:
Tel: +970 2 2984144/2989650
Fax: +970 2 2964433
E-mail: info@psi.gov.ps
Website: www.psi.gov.ps

The PCBS was founded in 1993 by a PLO decree months before the establishment of the PNA. The General Statistics Law No.4 of 2000 regulates the apparatus. Here the main functions and tasks are assigned. The advisory council for statistics was formed under this law.

The main functions of PCBS include:

  • To establish a comprehensive and unified statistical system to serve Palestinian authorities as an instrument of guidance for diagnosing problems and evaluating progress made.
  • To serve the instrumental needs of businesses and their organizations for statistical information on states and trends.
  • To conduct a population and housing census and agriculture census every ten years or less in accordance with the rules of a special census act issued by the President of the Palestinian National Authority, and to conduct an Establishment census every five years or less.
  • To participate in the international cooperation and exchange of official statistics in accordance with international standards which guarantee Palestinian membership in international organizations
  • To establish statistical training centers in order to prepare qualified personnel to carry out the statistical activities conducted by governmental or non-governmental departments or agencies.
  • To create and maintain a library of Palestinian and international statistics and an archive of Palestinian censuses and surveys covering the areas listed
  • To publish a statistical yearbook annually.
  • To update the Voting Register based on the Population Register regularly and every three months, and to provide voter listings when needed.

Contact:
Tel: +970 2 2982700
Fax: +970 2 2982710
Email: diwan@pcbs.gov.ps
Website: www.pcbs.gov.ps

The Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) was established in 1994 and began its work in 1995. The PMA is the equivalent of the Central Bank and it exercises several of the tasks entrusted to a central bank, though not all of them. The tasks entrusted to the PMA are banking supervision, payment services, research and statistics, alongside other administrative tasks. In 2006, the PMA adopted an ambitious plan to become a fully fledged central bank. The first stage of this plan has been executed over the last 3 years. It is expected to complete the subsequent stages over the next 3 years. When this is achieved, the PMA will be able to play a significant role in the growth and development of an independent sovereign Palestinian state. In which case it will be qualified to launch a national currency and develop monetary policy suitable for Palestinian economic conditions. This is based upon a clear and meticulous plan to achieve this vision, derived from international practices in modern banking. The PMA’s plans encompass the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability. This will enable the PMA to consolidate its ability to give advice in the field of political economy, thus complementing financial and monetary stability.

Contact:
Tel: +970 2 2415251/50
Fax: +970 2 240 99 22
Email: info@pma.ps
Website: www.pma.ps

The Palestinian Capital Market Authority (PCMA) was established in accordance with the Law for the Capital Market Authority (No. 14 of 2003) following the Cabinet decision of 11 August 2005. It aims at organizing, developing and monitoring the Palestinian capital market and aspires to guarantee the stability and development of the movement of investment and to protect the rights of investors.

The responsibilities of the Authority include the organization and monitoring of the stock market, insurance companies, leasing and credit companies and mortgage companies. The PCMA works on the implementation of laws relating to these sectors and on the protection of the rights of all their clients. It is also concerned with the provision of a competitive and transparent environment to stimulate an active market.

The PCMA carries out its tasks through the following three administrations:

  • The General Administration for Securities:
  • The General Administration for Securities monitors and organizes the activities inside the Palestinian Stock Exchange (PSE) focusing on disclosure and transparency. It follows a number of necessary instructions and systems to regulate, develop, and monitor the market. The administration is in charge of licensing companies on the stock market, investment consultants and investment funds.
  • The law of the stock exchange (law No. 12 of 2004) regulates the work of this sector in addition to a number of general regulations, instructions and decisions further regulating the market.
The General Administration for Insurance is in charge of the development, supervision and control of the insurance sector and aims at regulating activities within the sector. The supervisory administration takes charge of the market and undertakes the licensing of all companies and insurance agencies, in addition to all professions related to the insurance sector.

The Administration also developed several market regulations, instructions and decisions and helped to solve problems faced by insurance companies. The work of this sector is regulated by the insurance law (No.20 of 2005), in addition to a number of regulations, instructions and decisions. These include regulations on monetary payments, decisions on standards for auto insurance, and many others.

The General Administration for Financing Real Estate Mortgages and Leasing:

The General Administration for Financing Real Estate Mortgages and Leasing is entrusted with the task of regulating, supervising and developing both markets. The administration is currently drafting a law on real-estate mortgages in cooperation with the World Bank. It also worked on the draft leasing law (No. 15), which has already been submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

Contact Details:
Telephone: + 970 2 2973562 / + 970 2 2973334
Fax: +970 2 2973563
Email: ceo@pcma.gov.ps
Website: www.pcma.ps

PalTrade was founded in 1998 as an initiative fully supported by the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy for enhancing private sector development. PalTrade was registered as a non-profit institution, comprising member companies of the Private sector. The institution serves as a national trade development organization dedicated to improving Palestinian competitiveness through trade promotion and building the capacities of the private sector. Over 300 leading Palestinian businesses are members of PalTrade. PalTrade’s operation and services are guided by sector-based strategies for trade development, supported by assessment of cross-sectoral opportunities and impediments. These strategies are deployed through a range of services and activities aimed at vitalizing sectors to export to target markets.

PalTrade’s Mission is to Develop Trade Through:

  • Advocating a competitive, business enabling environment.
  • Improving trade competitiveness through trade promotion and capacity building.
  • Fostering international business practices and standards among professionals, firms and business organizations.
  • Providing trade-enabling knowledge. PalTrade promotes the following major principles:
    1. Trade Promotion: through assessing and improving capacities of sectors and Palestinian businesses operating in the global markets and increasing the market share in the local Palestinian market.
    2. Trade Policies: for managing programs to build and develop a legal economic environment and lobbying and establishing a national economic dialogue program.
    3. Trade Information: essential for providing Palestinian businesses with market research and information necessary for export markets.

Contact:
Tel: +970 2 2408383
Fax: +970 2 2408370
E-mail: info@paltrade.org
Website: www.paltrade.org

The PFI, founded in 1999, is a national institution representing the Palestinian industrial sector through its federated associations. The federation works for the empowerment of industrial development, which is considered the basis for Palestinian economic progress. It seeks to achieve this objective by educating, training and advocating members’ interests in international, regional, and local fora, in addition to managing the development of efficient industrial policies that serve their members’ interests and contribute to the development of the national economy.
The Federation was established to represent the Palestinian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in 1989 in Jerusalem at the initiative of some of the Palestinian Chamber members. The Federation, which is the main umbrella for the various Palestinian trade Chambers, includes 14 chambers (13 in the West Bank and one in the Gaza Strip with its four branches). There are about 50,000 associate members. The Federation is a member of many Arab, Islamic and international organizations such as The General Federation of Chambers of Trade and Industry in the Arab World, the Islamic Chamber of Trade and Industry, the Arab Labor Organization, the International Labor Organization, and the World Chambers Federation among other organizations.

Contact:
Tel: +970 2 298 55 56
Fax: +970 2 298 55 50
E-mail: info@pal-chambers.org , fpccia@palnet.com

The Palestinian Businessmen’s Association (PBA) is a nongovernmental organization established in 1995 to serve the Palestinian business community, its organizations and forums. In 2001, it founded the Federation of Palestinian Business Associations along with other relevant associations. It addresses issues of concern to its members and to the business community in general through analyzing policies and regulations, conducting field studies and surveys, and providing technical assistance and training to improve working conditions and managerial practices. In addition, the PBA seeks to provide a forum for advocacy, lobbying and discussing the priorities and concerns of the private sector in order to promote good governance, economic and social reforms, free trade and democratic values.

PBA organizes and participates actively in conferences, seminars, trade missions, exhibitions and other activities promoting trade and investment in Palestine. The PBA maintains economic ties with the Palestinian business communities in the Diaspora and other business communities in Arab and other amicable countries through the establishment of joint business councils with similar organizations in these countries. The PBA has been the vice president of the Arab Union of Business Associations for several consecutive sessions.

PBA publishes the ‘Palestinian Executive’, a professional journal of excellent quality. The PBA established the Palestinian Centre for International Arbitration to help resolve trade and financial disputes and to assist the Palestinian Judiciary. PBA services are directed to all Palestinian businessmen but give special privileges to its members and the associations and forums under its umbrella.

Contact:
Tel: +970 2 2974636/2974637
Fax: +970 2 2974004
E-mail: palba@palnet.com
Website: www.pba-palestine.org

PITA was founded in early 1999 as a membership based organization for locally registered companies in the IT sector. The association represents approximately 69 companies from various sub-sectors. These include hardware distributors, software development firms, office automation vendors, Internet service providers, telecommunications, IT consulting, IT training and related businesses.

PITA’s objective is to represent the interests of the private sector in the information and communication field in Palestine. It functions with a view to lead the Palestinian technology and information sector to form a fundamental pillar for the Palestinian economy. PITA aims at advocating business enabling policies, mechanisms and environment through public-private partnerships and promoting the Palestinian IT sector locally and internationally by facilitating access to the markets for the benefit of PITA members. PITA provides a range of services to its members and the IT community, including business development services, training programs, IT policy analysis, and preparation of specialized exhibitions and workshops.

Contacts:
Tel: +970 2 2408478
Fax: +970 2 2408479
E-mail: info@pita.ps
Website: www.pita-palestine.org

The Union of Palestinian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (UPPM) was founded in 1996, as an independent, non-profit membership based organization. Currently, the UPPM proudly serves as the representative of all pharmaceutical manufacturers in Palestine.

Welcome to our site. Please use the links on the right hand side to visit our members, learn about our Union and its activities, register for updates or send us comments and questions.
Special thanks go to the USAID Market Access Program for their assistance in developing this site The main function of the UPPM is to act as the official representative for the Palestinian pharmaceutical industry. Among its objectives are to:

  • Encourage cooperation among the members to promote a quality competitive pharmaceutical industry
  • Create target market strategy for the Palestinian pharmaceutical industry nationally and internationally
  • Serve as industry liaison with decision-makers in the legislative and regulatory arenas
  • Improve consumer understanding of the safety and effectiveness of Palestinian pharmaceutical products
  • Build strategic relationships with other regional and international associations
  • Quickly communicate key developments in the international pharmaceutical industry through the UPPM information network.
  • Attract a highly skilled labor pool and create new job opportunities within the industry.

P.O. Box 574
Ramallah Palestine
Telefax: (970)-2-240 7966
Email: info@uppm.org

Established in 1996, the USM of Palestine is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit membership-based organization dedicated to promoting the goals and protecting the needs of the Palestinian stone and marble producers. The USM has been the leading representative of the industry members since its establishment.

The Stone and Marble industry is considered one the most significant and most active industry in Palestine, as this sector contributes approximately 25% to Palestine’s overall industrial revenue and 4.5% to the total Palestinian GNB. There are also about 25 thousand workers whom are employed directly in the industry and thousands of workers who works in the supportive sectors

Major objectives

  • To represent the stone and marble sector in Palestine in its relationship with the governmental and non-governmental institutions, and to advocate the needs and interests of the producers
  • To advice the government on needed infrastructure
  • To foster the development of skills needed to promote the stone and marble production, and export development through training programs and supporting the restructuring of production capacities
  • To participate in the world network of exhibitions and conferences related to the stone and marble industry
  • To serve as the principle contact point for those who seek investment and opportunities in the stone and marble sector
  • To reinforce the role of the USM, as a resource center for information on Palestinian stone and marble industry
  • To strengthen and sustain co-operation among members, and seek to address their concerns and complexities that may arise.

Contact Info:
Bethlehem- Alkhadir-. Jerusalem / Herbron St near Nassar Investment Co.
P.O Box 980 Bethlehem – Palestine
Tel:+972 2 2776393/4
Fax: +972 2 2741502
Website: www.usm-pal.ps
E-mail: info@usm-pal.ps

The Arab Hotel Association (AHA) is non-profit, officially registered organization representing Palestinian hotels throughout the Holy Land and assisting other related tourism associations in Palestine.

AHA was established in Jerusalem in 1962 and currently has 56 members with well over 3709 guest rooms. The expanding role of the hotel industry in the Palestinian economy provides the AHA with many new challenges. Through restructuring planned process the current association includes hotels in Palestine under its umbrella ensuring decentralized representation through its four regions in Palestine. Eventually AHA will represent more than 70 members with more than 5,000 rooms

AHA Strategic goals are:

  1. Lead and participate in policy management issues related to the tourism sector in general and the hotel industry in particular.
  2. Provide technical assistance towards sound hotel management and performance.
  3. Seeking appropriate financial means to members Objectives.
  4. Providing members with marketing services and information on targeted and competitive markets

Contact info:
Jerusalem P.O. Box 66206
10 Nur Eddin Street
Tel: +972 2 628 3140
Fax: +972 2 628 3118

The Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association was established in the summer of 2005. This private sector association was preceded with about a year of discussion on the form and structure of the association. It is registered in Jerusalem as non-profit association under the name of the Arab Tourist and Travel Association. Steps are being taken to register in the PA areas too.

The HLITOA compromises 43 member Tour Operators working in the (Inbound) incoming tourism. The HLITOA members are the main source of tourism in general and pilgrimage in specific, which as well plays as an active private sector pillar for the Palestinian Economy bringing in foreign currency, and directing business to other tourism service providers such as hotels, transport companies, guides, etc; and creating major employment opportunities. There are many travel agents in Palestine who sell airline tickets (Outbound); however, these are not eligible to become members of HLITOA. Only Incoming Tour Operators are eligible for membership.

The HLITOA was established because Palestinian Incoming Tour Operators (Private Sector) recognized the necessity of working together to develop their business as well as the tourism industry overall. A rapidly changing world offers both challenges and opportunities and individual companies need to act together to respond to them. In Palestine PITO are faced with fierce competition from the Israeli tourism industry which is supported by the institutions of the Israeli Government.

Elections were held on August 13, 2005, where the HLITOA general assembly elected a board of 9 members, and on January 1st 2007 an Executive Director was appointed to run the day to day operation.

P.O.Box 19597
Jerusalem 91190
Mob1: +972-54-8128380
Tel : +972-2-6283140
Fax : +972-2-6283118
Email: admin@holylandoperators.com