Judea and Samaria

The Civil Administration's Trade and Industry office is responsible for coordination with the Palestinian Authority in all matters related to the field of import, foreign trade, the movement of merchants and the promotion of economic activities in Areas C, with the aim of supporting and developing the region’s economy. 

The office coordinates its activities with the Standards Institution of Israel as well as the Palestinian Authority's standards institution, as part of the process of approving the standardization of products. In 2016, the Trade and Industry office trained Palestinian importers and exporters at the Standards Institution of Israel in order to reduce waiting times at ports and streamline the process of releasing merchandise. The office is also responsible for examining applications for bringing dual-use items into the Palestinian Authority and inspecting goods that are transported to Judea and Samaria.

Additionally, the office is responsible for issuing licenses for the operation of Israeli and Palestinian quarries, supervising them, and coordinating the export of merchandise with the appropriate Civil Administration agencies. The office also works to approve and promote new factories and industrial zones in Area C. Prominent industrial zones include the Japanese industrial zone in Jericho, and the industrial zones currently being established in Jenin and Qalqilya. These industrial zones provide both income and services to the local population, as well as contribute to the development and welfare of the entire region.

Areas of Responsibility and Services

• Industries Administration - issuing marking exemptions and licenses for imports of consumer products, food and hi-tech industries
• Standardization Administration - recommendations regarding standard exemptions, coordinating with the Palestinian Authority's standards institution, donations, coordinating with industry executives in Israel and the Standards Institution
• Environment and Sustainable Development Administration - examining applications for the entry of equipment/dual-use items and issuing designated transferring licenses to those who are eligible, conducting visits at crossings while guiding and training customs officials on the necessary supervision procedures
• Natural Resources Administration - supervising quarries, industrial shredders, and examination of new requests. The Staff Officer has the authority to approve renewal of quarry licenses, in compliance with the required conditions.
• Imports Administration - registering those engaged in foreign trade, releasing of goods (MB72 Form), issuing licenses by authorized officials, releasing bank guarantees
• Industrial Zones (Development) Administration - managing, accompanying and centralizing requests for establishing economic projects in Judea and Samaria

The Paris Agreements (1993), which defines a single customs policy for Israel and the entire region, also establishes, among other things, quotas for certain products. The Civil Administration Staff Officer works in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and in coordination with the relevant ministries in Israel, to periodically update these quotas. Accordingly, the responsibility for issuing import licenses lies with the Staff Officer.