Association of Palestinian marine transport customers visited Port of Ashdod

Minister of transport Meir Sheetrit attended last week a ceremony held at the Port of Ashdod for the launching of the Association of Palestinian Marine Transport Customers.
 
The association which was initiated by Mr. Muhammad Khadr was established with the support of the United Nations Conference Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the European Union, the Palestinian Chamber of Commerce and Paltrade. Over 40 Palestinian businessmen participated at the ceremony which was the first of its kind.
 
Mrs. Iris Shtark the company's chair said that the Ashdod port company hoped the Palestinian association would strengthen commercial links between the port and the Gaza Strip.
 
Shtark added that at present the volume of imports to Gaza passing through the port is estimated as being 5% of the port's total annual activity – it was expected to double and even triple in the course of 2006.