Losses incurred to the Palestinians as a result of the Intifada waged against Israel since October 2000, stand at $769.7 million, the Palestinian ministry of industry disclosed in a statistical report, according to Al-Quds newspaper.
The output of the marble and stone quarries in the Palestinian territories has dropped by nearly 22 percent; textile industries’ production fell by 6.5 percent and leather and food industries by four percent each; mechanical engineering industry dropped by 5.4 percent, wood and furniture production by 3.8 percent, and the pharmaceutical industry output by 0.6 percent.
The report also noted that delay fees are mounting as containers filled with Palestinian produce are held at Israeli ports. Some 2,800 containers currently await passage. Due to security measures recently taken by Israel, Palestinian merchants must transport goods via land rather than by sea. This translates into an additional 700 Israeli shekel ($166) charge per load. — (MENA Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
