The General Assembly and Membership in the Chamber:
The General Assembly of the Chamber is constituted from the owners of Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural and Service entities, along with those who are registered in the chamber and who carry out their works in the Governorate of Jericho.
The legislation stipulates that the General Assembly members should enjoy all the rights and privileges, namely elections, participating in drawing up the Chamber policies and goals through their presence and taking part actively in the meetings administered by the chamber.
Consequently, the Chamber is considered as a framework making up and reflecting the viewpoint of private sector throughout the Governorate in all walks and activities of economic life.
As a result of the suggestions pointed out within the General Assembly, the Chamber is able to draw up its policies. Thus, it goes into all official and non – official bodies which have relations with commercial affairs when the matter is connected with the interests of its members.
Indicators about the Chamber Membership:
| Year |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
| Total members |
268 |
291 |
293 |
338 |
346 |
Distribution of the Members according to the sectors:
| Sector |
Number of Members |
Percentage |
| Commercial |
204 |
58.96% |
| Service |
84 |
24.28% |
| Industrial |
50 |
14.45% |
| Construction |
8 |
2.31% |
| Total |
346 |
100% |
The number of the workers and employees according to our records in 1999 is 1992. They worked in the different economic sectors, 88% of them were male and 12% female.
Some Features of Local Economy in the Governonate of Jericho:
Jericho plays a significant role in the Palestinian economy. The agriculture and tourism sectors are considered the backbone of the economy in the Governorate of Jericho, these sectors have a direct impact on the progress and growth of the commercial and other sectors.
It is a wide area; it has the possibility of settling a huge number of inhabitants.
The Jordan Valley (Ghour Area) is considered one of the prime parts in Palestine for its unique strategic location. It is the eastern gate that connects all the Palestinian cities and towns with Jordan and the Arab World.
It is an important trade path as far as export by road is concerned. This area has got specific things not available elsewhere in the Palestinian territories.
The agriculture and touristic sectors form the main source of making a living to the inhabitants of the Governorate, since their prosperity and financial success directly affects the growth of the commercial sector and other economic sectors.
