UNCTAD/UNDP trade workshops – UNCTAD press release

FOR USE OF
INFORMATION MEDIA

NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD

                    Note to correspondents No. 17

                                                19 September 1996
                                                                 
                                 
                                
         UNCTAD AND UNDP WORKSHOP ON THE IMPLICATIONS
         OF THE EMERGING INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM
                  FOR THE PALESTINIAN ECONOMY
                                
      (West Bank and Gaza Strip, 28 September – 2 October)
                                               
                                 
                                 
     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

Note No.17
Page 2

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.     

                            ** *** **

For more information, please contact Said Guehria, Technical Cooperation Coordinator,
International Trade Division, UNCTAD, telephone: 41 22 907 57 08 or fax: 41 22 907 00 44; or Carine
Richard-Van Maele, UNCTAD Press Officer, on telephone 41 22 907 5816/28, or fax 41 22 907 00 43,
or e-mail: amanda.waxman@unctad.org
.