At the request of the Palestinian Authority, UNCTAD and UNDP will organize two workshops in the Palestinian territory on the emerging international trading system and its implications for the Palestinian economy. The first workshop will take place on the West Bank (Bir Zeit University) from 28 to 30 September and the second in the Gaza Strip (Rashad Al-Shawwa Center) on 1 and 2 October.
The main agenda items are:
- the emerging global economy and the new international trading system, World Trade Organization (WTO);
- the current situation of the Palestinian economy and the external trade sector;
- market and commodity diversification potentials, especially with regional partners;
- general presentation on GATT, Uruguay Round and WTO with special reference to the Agreements on Textiles, Clothing and Agriculture;
- services.
The issue of Euro-Mediterranean policy in relation to WTO accession will also be discussed. Bilateral consultations will be organized between the experts and the Palestinian participants.
Some 50 Palestinian experts from the private and public sectors are expected to participate in these informative meetings which are organized under the auspices of the Palestinian Ministry of Economy and Trade and PECDAR of the Palestinian Authority. The WTO, the United Nations Economic and Social for Western Asia (ESCWA) and international experts will also participate in the deliberations of both workshops.
These workshops are being organized within the framework of the UNCTAD/UNDP programme of technical cooperation activities for the Arab countries on WTO issues, as well as within the framework of UNCTAD´s programme of assistance to the Palestinian people. Other Arab countries have already benefitted from such workshops organized as part of the UNCTAD/UNDP programme, including: Morocco, Lebanon, Libya, Bahrain, Sudan, Jordan.
