1. Built linkages at both levels local and international.

    • Established a strong relationship with the Palestinian National Authority Institutions:
      Ministry of Planing and International Cooperation- participation in the development of the years development plan
      Ministry of Labor – The Federation is a key Member of the steering committee of the vocational training planning, Social partner (Tripartite) with the Ministry of Labor and Trade unions
      Ministry of Economy and Trade – The federation maintains Strong linkages with both Ministry of trade and Economy and the Ministry of Industry, as two-referral ministries for the federation
      Ministry of Finance for consultation and discussion of issues mutual concerned; taxes
      The Palestinian Monetary Authority – Consultation banking policies and credit scheme. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics – Exchange of information

    • Built strong linkages with the private sector supporting entities especially financial institutions such as Palestinian development Fund and banks as well as establishing links with other international financial intermediaries; the world bank, IFC, FIN.SPA (Italian) bank.

    • The Federation is an effective member in the General Union of Arab Chamber of Commerce, Industry (GUACCIA) and Agriculture. In fact the president of Palestinian Federation chaired the GUACCIA for the period of two years 1991 to 1993

    • Effective member of Arab Labor Organization (ALO).

    • Member of ILO as an employer organization.

    • Member of the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Mediterranean Countries (ASCAME)

    • Established linkages with foreign similar activities institutions, e.g. Rotterdam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts, (in fact many training courses for the Federation and its constituent chambers took place in these institutions).

  2. Support to SMEs

    Small businesses form the backbone of the economy; they are viewed as a vital mean to expand market and to create sustainable employment. The major advantages of small business lies are in their potential for innovation, flexibility, and low start up cost, rapid development and distribution of the risk. The federation encourages establishing of small business that can provide a solution to the employment problems of special groups such as women, ex-detainees, returnees and young people and new graduates.

    The federation leads the initiative to create conducive environment for the support of small and Medium Enterprises SME’s. These efforts were crowned by establishing of four Small Enterprises Development Units (SEDUs) at the selected chambers with the management unit at the Federation with the support of the Italian project and ILO. More SEDUs are planned to be created at the rest of the constituent chambers to cover all the SME’s in Palestinian Economy.

  3. Private Sector Database

    The Federation has established the database for Palestinian private sector and initiated the standard information system at the member chambers. In addition the federation helped establish electronic linkages among the chambers through external modems. It is very modest and need a lot of development.

  4. Vocational Training

    The federation supported by the Cologne chamber for skilled craft established a unit for vocational training. The unit initiated the vocational training and has taken Hebron chamber as pilot chamber. So far 60 employers have benefited from this initiative. In addition an examination committee was established where the federation is a key member together with the Ministry of Labor.

    Furthermore, the federation has consolidated its strong links with the ILO/Turin training Center. Key staff members of the federation and the constituent chambers received training in the Center.