success story

"Future business transactions through the King Hussein Bridge just got easier," says leading Palestinian importer Ma'moun Al Sa'ed. He adds, "Palestinian traders need to have a better understanding of the cargo processing procedures at the bridge and today we gained this understanding."

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Trade Facilitation Project (TFP), in coordination with the Israeli Customs Land Border Authority, launched the first in a series of planned roundtable discussions to address the concerns of Palestinian importers and exporters regarding trade transactions at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing between the West Bank and Jordan. The first event was held at the crossing on April 2.

The roundtable discussion provided the Palestinian trade community with a forum to discuss the problems they face on a daily basis importing and exporting through the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge crossing. Suggestions for mutually beneficial improvements were addressed, including improved scheduling and cargo processing procedures, increased terminal operator staff on duty to inspect cargo shipments, and optimized product testing procedures at the crossing, among others.

Palestinian traders expressed their appreciation to USAID for providing them with the opportunity to express their concerns to the relevant Israeli officials and they expressed their desire for similar roundtables in the future.

Israeli officials were also pleased with the results of the roundtable. Ophir Silberman, Deputy Director of Customs Land Border Crossings, thanked USAID for facilitating dialogue between the two parties and expressed his interest in continuing such communication under the umbrella of USAID. Mr. Silberman added, "We learned face to face the problems confronting Palestinian traders at the Bridge, and other crossings, and we will continue to work with them to resolve these issues." TFP and several Palestinian traders have been invited for a follow up meeting with Israeli officials to discuss pending concerns.

Participants included over 20 leading Palestinian traders representing various industry sectors and representatives of Israeli Customs, the Israeli Airport Authority (which manages the crossing), USAID, the American Consulate General in Jerusalem, and the World Bank.

TFP aims to support administrative and logistical improvements to help increase cargo movement across the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, making it a more cost-effective crossing for exporters and importers of many products shipped to the Middle East and beyond. Future roundtables are planned that would also include Palestinian and Jordanian Customs officials.