ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Customs Conference Held in Ramallah:  USAID participated in the Palestinian Customs and World Customs Organization Stakeholders Conference in Ramallah on May 24 and 25.  Director General of Palestinian Customs Hatem Yousef presented his new program for trade, revenue and security, which promises to bring Palestinian Customs into the 21st century.   USAID Acting Deputy Director addressed conference participants, highlighting USAID’s support to Palestinian Customs and how that support translates into improvements in Palestinian households.   

DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE

• Customer Satisfaction with Jenin Notary Public Department:   A survey was conducted on Jenin Notary Public Department services by DPK Consulting, the implementer of USAID’s Rule of Law, Justice and Enforcement Program.  The survey assessed the level of public satisfaction with the Jenin Notary services following the recent renovation and upgrading work. Results show that user satisfaction with overall notary services increased 305% after the renovation. USAID supported the renovation work by providing a modern queuing system, a public waiting area, counters, shelves, and air conditioning.

• Palestinian Judiciary Receive English Language Training:  62 Supreme Judicial Council judges and court staff completed a 4-month English language training course under the Rule of Law, Justice and Enforcement Program.  The training contributes to strengthening the capacity of the judiciary by improving English communication skills of the staff and judges and their ability to access English language documents. 

• Al Quds University Law Department Receives an Improved Computer Lab:  The Rule of Law, Justice and Enforcement Program completed upgrading a computer lab at the Faculty of Law, Justice and Enforcement of Al Quds University.  The USAID program renovated the site and provided 24 computers, a server, furniture, printers, and air conditioning. The lab, which serves more than 700 law students, enables them to complete research over the internet and conduct course work. The lab is also being used as a classroom to teach the first Legal Information Technology course offered by the university.

• Palestinian TV Professionals Learn Innovative Production Skills:  The Independent Media Program conducted in-house trainings with Nawras TV in Hebron and Wattan TV in Ramallah.  Local journalists and production staff had an opportunity to learn new and innovative production techniques, including developing an effective program format, determining relevant reporting topics, and selecting optimal studio guests.