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You are Here: Home > About Us > FAQs 1. Is the Chamber considered as a public or a private organization? 2. Is there a definite relationship between the Chamber and the Governmental Institutions? 3. Where is the Chamber located? 4. In which year was the Chamber established? 5. Does the Chamber include the Agriculture Sector? 6. What is the number of the members of the Board of Directors? and how they are appointed? 7. Did the Chamber establish any twinning with other foreign Chambers of Commerce? 8. Does the Chamber interfere in arbitration of commercial and economic disputes? 9. Does the Chamber own any right to proctor the prices and the production quality? 10. What is the number of the General Assembly members? 11. Does the Chamber have any definite role in training human capacities? 12. What are the acquired requirements to join the new graduates training program? 13. Does the Chamber assist the other commercial institutions in getting Loans? 14. Does the Chamber own the rights for the geographical distribution of the trade Sector? 15. Who is permitted to join the membership of the Chamber? 16. What are the studies, memoranda, and reports issued by the Chamber? 17. Does the Chamber introduce additional services to the local community? 18. Does the Chamber offer needed help to issue entry permits to the Israeli territories? 19. Can I get commercial information pertaining to foreign exhibitions or companies? 21. Who can participate in the Chamber trade delegations? 22. Does the Chamber initiate studies on the feasibility of any project? 23. Does the Chamber integrate in any commercial activity pertaining to shipment or clearance? 24. Does the Chamber have any membership in a union or any international organization? 25. Where is the Center located? [Is it segregated from the Chamber?] 26. What distinguishes the Center from other service institutions? 27. Does the Chamber assist the economy sector to pertain entry visas when traveling overseas? 28. Does the Centre offer a membership card? 29. Is it possible for owners of companies to make bargains through the Centre? 30. Can I use the exhibiting hall of the Center to exhibit my products? 31. Is it possible to pay visits to the permanent exhibition of the Center? 32. What is the Chamber’s logo of Quality Control? Who can get it?
1. Is the Chamber considered as a public or a private organization? The Bethlehem Chamber of Industry and Commerce is a private non-profitable organization initially found to defend the rights of the private sector, its aid in overcoming faced ordeals, and represent it in front of the different governmental institutions. The General Assembly of the Chamber comprises traders, industrialists, and handcraft men coming from the different local sectors.
2. Is there a definite relationship between the Chamber and the Governmental Institutions? The Ministry of Palestinian National Economy is the Chamber’s main authoritative source. An indirect relationship emerges between both parties in issues pertaining to services and facilities introduced by the Chamber. Simultaneously, the Chamber is considered as an independent body having its own constitution and internal regulations pursuant to the provisions of Article n.8 of the year 1961 of the Commercial and Industrial Chambers institution.
3. Where is the Chamber located? The Chamber is located near the north entry of the city of Bethlehem. The Chamber owns a strategic location on the top of Dr. Jimnayer Street opposite to Bethlehem Hotel.
4. In which year was the Chamber established? In 1856, where a number of economists have envisioned the importance of creating a commercial institution that caters for the commercial and economic needs of the city.
5. Does the Chamber include the Agriculture Sector? Since the city mainly reflects an industrial and commercial facets, its members are mostly and solely from these sectors. However, the Chamber submits the aid needed to the Agriculture sector.
6. What is the number of the members of the Board of Directors? and how they are appointed? The recent Board of Directors includes ten members coming from the different sectors. All were appointed by the Ministry of Economy. Pursuant to the Chambers’ institution, the Board of Directors should consist of 12 members to be elected by the General Assembly.
7. Did the Chamber establish any twinning with other foreign Chambers of Commerce? The Chamber welcomes any activity with other local and foreign Chambers. Still, the Chamber is part of a twinning program with the South Sweden Chamber of Commerce in coordination with the Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
8. Does the Chamber interfere in arbitration of commercial and economic disputes? Unquestionably, and this particular issue is an exquisite priority where disputes are arbitrated pursuant to the institution of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
9. Does the Chamber own any right to proctor the prices and the production quality? No direct interference is witnessed in this issue. However, the Chamber cooperates with the concerned parties and provides the public sectors and the Ministry of National Economy with the related studies.
10. What is the number of the General Assembly members? Up till April of the year 2005, the General Assembly of the Chamber comprises 2052 members. The Chamber dedicatedly works to increase the number of its members from all sectors seeking to unify and organize most of the commercial and industrial operations in the city.
11. Does the Chamber have any definite role in training human capacities? Indeed, The Chamber has held courses and workshops on topics pertaining to marketing, external trade, import and export procedures, commercial correspondence, and foreign languages.
12. What are the acquired requirements to join the new graduates training program? No definite requirements are acquired. However, the trainee should at least have a practical background on commercial and economic activities. This enables the trainer to design a comprehensive training plan that qualifies and introduces the trainee to the working strategies of the different institutions. At the end of the three months training program, the trainee is offered an accredited certificate from the Chamber to start his practical life.
13. Does the Chamber assist the other commercial institutions in getting Loans? A priority, indeed. The Chamber has submitted a considerable number of recommendations for parties that offer loans in order to facilitate this process for the trade sector. Among these institutions: HCF Organization, and the Palestinian Development Fund Institution (PDF). The Chamber has implemented a loan project to get raw material related to facilities working in the handcraft sector. The project was implemented in cooperation with the UNDP and the Italian Cooperation in Jerusalem.
14. Does the Chamber own the rights for the geographical distribution of the trade Sector? No definite rights are owned. However, professional advice is usually offered in coordination with the concerned parties.
15. Who is permitted to join the membership of the Chamber? Since the Chamber is considered as a commercial and economic assembly, all classified under this category might join its General Assembly . Membership is completed after the submission of acquired documents pursuant to the institution of the Chambers of Commerce.
16. What are the studies, memoranda, and reports issued by the Chamber? The Chamber credits a conspicuous attention to this crucial issue. Reports and studies vary to include topics related to the status of the local economy and commerce, and from which a great benefit can be derived. The Chamber simultaneously carries out specialized studies to find convenient resolutions for predicament that affect the local commercial status. The Chamber initiates as well studies on companies under establishment.
17. Does the Chamber introduce additional services to the local community? The Chamber has continuous and momentous interaction with the local communal activities. The Chamber supports these activities through: * Participation in exhibitions, cultural and commercial festivals which are locally held. * Holding training workshops in the different economic fields. * Holding lecture and workshops pertaining to economic and social matters. * Preparing studies concerned with local predicaments like poverty and unemployment.
18. Does the Chamber offer needed help to issue entry permits to the Israeli territories? Official designated parties carry this mission. However, pursuant to the general policy of the chamber, coordination with the latter side only emerges to facilitate the entry of commercial goods into the Governorate.
19. Can I get commercial information pertaining to foreign exhibitions or companies? The Chamber keenly works to provide all commercial information acquired by the different sectors. This free service is offered within 48 hours pursuant to the (ISO) law of excellence adopted by the Chamber. By the same token, the Chamber has numerous and wide connection with commercial attaches and international commercial institutions. This greatly enhances the access to information needed even in relation to contact addresses. In addition, the Chamber has an electronic library which includes information highly appreciated by business men and traders.
20. Does the Chamber organize delegations from its members to participate in international exhibitions? The Chamber does coordinate trade and industry delegations and missions to these exhibitions. This emerges under the frame of its general policy that confirms its determination to be exposed to the international productions whether on the Arab or the foreign level.
21. Who can participate in the Chamber trade delegations? Whoever wants to participate should: * Be a member of the Chamber * His field of work is relevant to the targeted exhibition * His trade activities should reflect a prominent reputation.
22. Does the Chamber initiate studies on the feasibility of any project? Among the services provided by the Chamber is to define the problems and needs of the private sector. Numerous projects were accomplished to fulfill and develop these needs. However, in relation to studies pertaining to the feasibility of individual projects, the chamber is keen to introduce this service in order to develop and enhance the local market.
23. Does the Chamber integrate in any commercial activity pertaining to shipment or clearance? This service is not offered. However, the Chamber provides an access to all information needed on shipment and clearance companies, or provides needed recommendations to facilitate the process.
24. Does the Chamber have any membership in a union or any international organization? The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a member in: * The Union of the Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Agriculture, and Industry. * The Union of International Chambers of Commerce. * The General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Agriculture, and Industry of Arab Countries
25. Where is the Center located? [Is it segregated from the Chamber?] The Center is located in the ground floor of the Chamber, and it is an integral part of the complex.
26. What distinguishes the Center from other service institutions? The Center by itself is the first distinctive experience in Palestine. The Center comprises a major hall that exhibits all the products manufactured in the Governorate of Bethlehem by trade and industry sectors. It is worth noting that exhibits are freely held.
27. Does the Chamber assist the economy sector to pertain entry visas when traveling overseas? The certificate issued by the Chamber for this purpose is considered a primary reference to get visas, and which is mainly adopted by most of the foreign and Arab embassies.
28. Does the Centre offer a membership card? The Centre does not offer any special membership card, but considers the official card issued by the Chamber after the fulfillment of all membership requirements
29. Is it possible for owners of companies to make bargains through the Centre? The Trade Promoting Center is mainly non-profitable and only provides the service of direct contract between the concerned parties. However, the Center does not tackle details agreed upon by both parties.
30. Can I use the exhibiting hall of the Center to exhibit my products? The Chamber is more than ready to hold local specialized exhibits in its 450m2 hall. Among the held exhibits are: The Book Exhibition, The Catalogue Exhibition for American Furniture, and the Exhibition of the Belgium Manufactory Catalogue
31. Is it possible to pay visits to the permanent exhibition of the Center? The Center doors are opened daily from 8:30 -2:30pm. Visitors of different age segments or professional and social backgrounds are prominently welcomed. The Center organizes school visits as part of the Chamber’s believe in the importance of spreading awareness among the youth sector regarding local and national products.
32. What is the Chamber’s logo of Quality Control? Who can get it? During the month of April of 2004, the Chamber registered the Chamber’s logo and was named as the Logo of excellence for the purpose it stands for. This logo will be used with caliber handcraft products. The usage of the logo is supervised by the Chamber’s Committee of Excellence which consists of experts in handicraft field. |