Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., November 21, 2007 Kislev 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 19:11 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Magazine Week's End Anglo File

Palestinians lining up as they wait to cross at the Rafah terminal into Egypt on Friday. (AP) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 07:53 13/03/2007 Report: Exports leaving Gaza not enough to restart economy By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent Exports leaving the Gaza Strip through the Karni crossing, the lifeline of the Palestinian economy in the Gaza Strip, do not meet the minimum requirements of the Palestinian economy there, according to a report by Paltrade, the Palestinian trade association. In its monthly report monitoring activity at the crossing, Paltrade concludes that there is insufficient commerce passing through Karni to successfully restart the Palestinian economy in the Gaza Strip. The Peres Peace Center is publishing a joint program with Paltrade later this week on a reorganization of the crossings between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Advertisement According to the monitoring report, the crossing was open for 22 days in February and was closed on two days for security reasons - once by Israeli authorities and another time by the Palestinians. The traffic of goods at the crossing, measured in truckloads, reached its peak during the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jerusalem on 19 February. On average in February, a total of 56.3 truckloads of exports crossed during a working day, and 407.8 loads of imports entered Gaza through Karni. During the days Rice was visiting the region, 73 truckloads were exported from Gaza and a new monthly record of 81 trucks was achieved several days earlier. During her visit to the crossing, Rice commended the expansion of trade through Karni. According to the World Bank, which supports the activities of Paltrade, the minimum required to jump-start the Palestinian economy in the Gaza Strip is 150 truckloads of exports per day. Most of the exports from Gaza were agricultural produce, vegetables and strawberries, and the main products imported were construction materials. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday that starting late March, the Karni crossing will operate on a two-shift rotation and remain open until 11 P.M. rather than the current 5:30 P.M. In talks with European officials, Olmert said that expanding the operation of the Karni crossing will enable 950 truckloads to cross each day. Several months ago the National Security Council recommended to Olmert that control of Karni be transferred to the Defense Ministry for more efficient operations. It is currently run by the Israel Airports Authority. The proposal was not accepted. The Peres Peace Center and Paltrade proposal, entitled Through Traffic, is calling for American and international standards in the operation of the crossings, in line with post-9/11 developments and the November 2005 "crossings agreement," which has to a large extent not been implemented Bookmark to del.icio.us The reek of hatred An ex-chief rabbi's recent remarks on Conservative Judaism may spark a legal fight. Natural bombardment A hailstorm set off hundreds of cluster bombs lying in the soil of southern Lebanese soil.   1.   When the focus of a society is on the murder 05:23  |  Anat 13/03/07   2.   They still have exports? 07:02  |  Mark Lincoln 13/03/07   3.   the main products imported were construction materials 07:06  |  vik 13/03/07   4.   Export The Terrorists, Re-Import Jews, And Bingo 07:26  |  Yishai Kohen 13/03/07   5.   Sure, increase import of `construction materials` 08:56  |  Nechama 13/03/07   6.   Cute 09:39  |  Colin Wright 13/03/07   7.   what about trade with Egypt? 09:41  |  David G 13/03/07   8.   Anyway... 09:51  |  Colin Wright 13/03/07   9.   ..and to anticipate the response 09:56  |  Colin Wright 13/03/07   10.   re #7 `what about trade with Egypt?` 10:03  |  Colin Wright 13/03/07   11.   Before 1967 there was no export from Gaza to Israel. And there... 10:26  |  Vittorio 13/03/07   12.   Israel has no obligations to develop "GAZA ECONOMY". GAZANS 10:34  |  Vittorio 13/03/07   13.   Israel should have ZERO control over 11:43  |  spyguy 13/03/07   14.   Pal goons drive luxurious cars in Gaza,no need to "Jump-start" 11:52  |  Absolute Sweden 13/03/07   15.   Build a port and an airport! 12:06  |  Andreas 13/03/07   16.   Israel controls all boarders 12:20  |  Jad 13/03/07   17.   free trade for Gaza is an the obligation of the zionists 12:49  |  Leon Rosgarten 13/03/07   18.   vik from nyc 12:49  |  Lynn 13/03/07   19.   Colin Wright 12:54  |  Lynn 13/03/07   20.   With fees reaching $1,700 per truck who could afford to export 13:00  |  El-Birawi 13/03/07   21.   Does the U.S. help Al Qaeda with restart their economy? 13:06  |  Yacov 13/03/07   22.   Is this a seriuos article ? 13:40  |  Alberto Cohen 13/03/07   23.   #7 David G says that Israel has no control over the Egypt border 14:45  |  Johnboy 13/03/07   24.   `Construction` imports - be wary 15:50  |  Chick Corea 13/03/07   25.   # 2 your biased and ignorance is showing again mark 16:03  |  terrornator 13/03/07   26.   Spy Guy Tunnels supply Gaza with Rockets from Egypt. 15:39  |  Petra 21/11/07   27.   #13 Spy guy Why spend all the PAs $$ on rockets then? 15:45  |  Petra 21/11/07   28.   #15 GOOD, buy their carnations AFTER the SHEEP EAT IT! 15:54  |  Petra 21/11/07   29.   #16 Israel controls all the borders, HOORAY AND HALLELUJAH 15:56  |  Petra 21/11/07

Today Online U.K. radical left sees one-state solution to Mideast conflict Responses: 189 Akiva Eldar: Demand for recognition of Jewish State was made hastily Responses: 56 Amira Hass: Failure to free more prisoners is a blow to peace Responses: 48 Rightist MKs slam PM's move to transfer armored vehicles to PA Responses: 61 Rosner: Annapolis could be an unnecessary failure Responses: 21 Rosner's Domain Guest: Lyndon Johnson, the "friendliest president" to Israel Hate crime against Jews: 167 more victims (WTR) Fewer Americans believe Israel is ready to make peace Take a guess: what official will Saudi Arabia send to Annapolis? More Headlines 18:44 Police to decide Sunday if Olmert should be indicted 18:37 Mubarak to Blair: Arab states to hold pre-Annapolis 'mini-summit' 13:49 Rightist MKs slam PM's move to transfer armored vehicles to PA 17:48 IDF personnel chief: Soldiers not adequately rewarded for IDF service 16:36 Anne Frank museum says that diseased tree must be cut down 14:41 Israel okays renewal of flower, strawberry exports from Gaza 17:54 Israel cancels UN climate change summit envoy due to high security cost 16:17 Israel launches anti-hijack pilot identification system 18:58 Crime gang's attorney accused of smuggling drugs to jailed clients Previous Editions Select Day 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 16 nov 15 nov 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 09 nov 08 nov 07 nov

Special Offers Advertisement HELP SAVE OMRI! Ezer Mizion's Bone Marrow Recruitment Drive Invest in Macedonia New Business Heaven in Europe Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt. Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved