Today, Thursday, Minister of National Economy Khaled Asseily said that work is underway to complete a review of the commodity lists included in the Paris Economic Protocol, which have not been amended since 1994.

This came during a meeting the minister held with representatives of the private sector at the ministry's headquarters to review the results of a study on the reality of commodity lists included in the Paris Economic Protocol, which was prepared within the "Export" project funded by the British government.

In his speech, the minister stressed that the Paris Economic Protocol, which was torn apart by Israel due to its policies, is outdated and no longer valid and does not respond to the requirements of developing the economy of the State of Palestine.

The meeting pointed out that the current lists of commodities are among the most prominent obstacles facing the Palestinian importer and factory, which requires changing this reality in line with the needs of the market.

The conferees emphasized the importance of studying all options that would enhance the Palestinian government's strategy of gradual disengagement from the occupation economy, promoting local production, and opening up and importing from global markets.

The meeting stated that the system of dual-use commodities pursued by Israel limits the development and growth of the national industry, and imposes exorbitant costs on the factory due to the complexities and requirements contrary to the usual international practices, which it adopts under the pretext of security and environment.

The private sector stressed the importance of changing the Paris Economic Protocol, which is a major obstacle to the development of our national economy, calling on the relevant international parties to put pressure on the occupying power to change this protocol and remove the obstacles it imposes on Palestinian trade.

It is noteworthy that Israel prevents the entry of a list of raw materials to the Palestinian market that exceeds 100 materials used in the sectors of leather, construction, food, engineering, metal, textile, sewing, aluminum, chemical, metal, equipment and spare parts.