.::Invest in Bethlehem ::.

Geographic Status:

The Bethlehem Governorate is one of the 16 Governorates in the Palestinian Territories, with a total area of 607, 8 Km2. It stretches from the south of East Jerusalem to the Hebron District in the south and the Dead Sea in the East. It stands at an elevation of about 775m (2,510 ft) above sea level, thus 30 meters (100 feet) higher than Jerusalem.

The Governorate of Bethlehem includes the Church of the Nativity in the city of Bethlehem, the Shepherds Field in the city of Beit Sahour, in addition to a number of important religious, historical and cultural sites that attract pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.

Demographic distribution of the population:

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the population of the Governorate of Bethlehem was 180,116 in mid-year 2006 and 188,306 in 2007.

The population of the Governorate of Bethlehem forms about 4.7 % of the total population of the Palestinian Territories, and about 7.3 % of the population of the West Bank.

The percentage increase in the total population of the governorate was about 3.1% in 2006.

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The population of the Governorate of Bethlehem is distributed as follows:

34.3% are classified as urban citizens.
57.6 % are classified as rural citizens.
8% are classified as refugee citizens.

Percentage of males: 51.2 %.

Percentage of females: 48.8 %.

Percentage of inhabitants (0-14 years old) is estimated to form about 43.3% of the total population of the governorate.

Percentage of inhabitants (15-64 years old) is estimated to form about 52.4%.

Source: Palestinian Central bureau of Statistics, available from: http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop10.aspx

Percentage of inhabitants (64 + years old) is estimated to form about 4.2 %

Localities:

The Governorate of Bethlehem consists of 10 municipalities, three refugee camps, and many village councils:

Municipalities: al-Abeedia , Beit Fajjar ,Beit Jala , Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, al-Douha , al-Khader , Tuqu' , Za'atara , Jannata.

Local and village councils include, Arab al-Rashaida, Artas, al-Asakra , Battir , Beit Tamar, Hindaza & Breid’ah , Furdeis, Hussan , Jibat al-Thiib , Jurat al-Shama’a, Marah Mu’alah ,Jaba’a, Nahalin , al-Shawawra , Wad Rahhal, Wadi al-Arayes , Wad Fukin , Wad Al Nees, Al-Walaja, Um Salamonah, Khas & Nu’man , Ma’sarah, Al Muniah, Marah Rabah, Al Rashaydeh, Dar Salah.

Refugee camps: Aida, Azaah, Dheisheh.

Main Industries:

The Governorate of Bethlehem has always been famous for producing premium quality handcrafted products, which include olive wood and mother of pearl items as well as embroidery. People tend to forget that the Governorate of Bethlehem has many other prosperous industries and contributes approximately 13% to the Palestinian Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The main industries include:

Marble and stone industry.
Clothes and textile industry.
Furniture industry.
Chemical industry (paints, plastic, rubber, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, adhesives, and detergents).
Metal industry.
Construction (bricks, tiles).
Food industry (spaghetti, macaroni, confectionery ...etc)

Main Exports :

Stone and marble.
Handcrafted products (olivewood, mother of pearl, wax, embroidery, etc).
Medical supplies (mattresses, cushions, etc).
Metal products (screws and nails).
Clothes and textiles.
Plastic products.
Pharmaceutical products.
Alcoholic beverages.
Furniture.

With the birth of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem managed to gain an important historical standing and enter the archives of history. Ever since that time, the city did its utmost to maintain its reputation, prove worthy of the standing it had been granted, and manage its survival in times of war and peace, destitution and prosperity. Bethlehem is one of the main spiritual, cultural and economic governorates in the West Bank, with a historical significance that attracted tourists and pilgrims from all over the world, who come and practice their spiritual and touristic activities by visiting the abundant religious and tourist sites in the area. Bethlehem, a city that was once filled with life and activeness, and frequented by many foreign and local tourists, has become a dull and dreary place, due to the many and different measures and policies practiced by Israel. However, despite the deterioration on all levels, there is still a ray of hope. BCCI has been playing a leading role in promoting the private sector, and through its strategic vision, it aims at boosting the city’s economy by attracting new investments in order to achieve sustainable development. BCCI dedicates its efforts to assisting its members in overcoming the difficult situation by continuously encouraging them to grow and expand by attracting foreign investments and providing support. It is time that us, Palestinians, begin to form the cornerstone that paves the way for our independent economy. BCCI is pleased to offer you the enclosed CD, which contains a presentation about investments taking place in the Bethlehem Governorate, in addition to an Electronic Directory containing information about 114 distinctive members who were the first to register in this directory, their contact information, and a brief profile for each. This CD aims to encourage investment initiatives in the governorate and provide an opportunity for BCCI members to build future business relations that are fruitful and sustainable.

Among the latest achievements of BCCI is the establishment of the Trade Promotion Center and the Business Development Center:

The Trade Promotion Center- TPC:

The Trade Promotion Center "TPC" was established in April 2004 as a non- profit center that supports local industries through the promotion and marketing of their different local products. The TPC also works to enhance and protect the manufacturing and trading interests of local businesses.

The center – the first promotional tool of its kind in Palestine - houses a state of the art and elegantly decorated 450 m² hall known as “The Permanent Exhibition”. The Permanent Exhibition, which permanently exhibits all products manufactured in the governorate, aims to introduce local citizens to various products that will be utilized for educational purposes and economic development, as a focal point for the promotion of local working industries in Bethlehem.

TPC employees work diligently to provide different services to BCCI members and the exhibitors of the Permanent Exhibition, guided by the following objectives:

To promote and market domestic products and introduce them to national and international communities.
To pinpoint and facilitate potential administrative and marketing problems so as to boost the performance of working industries.
To provide trade information and counseling services on marketing techniques and overseas businesses, and also provide knowledge and awareness on foreign trade rules and regulations.
To maintain liaisons with trade related regional and international organizations.
To support and maintain e-commerce practices in Palestine.
To provide some training courses and workshops to build the capacity and empower employees working at local factories and business institutions.
To promote and facilitate foreign and domestic investments in Palestine.

In addition, the TPC provides the following services on a daily basis:

An opportunity to exhibit in the Permanent Exhibition.
Facilitating participation in local and international fairs.
Issuing periodicals, catalogues, fliers, and brochures to promote local industries.
Implementing workshops and training courses to upgrade the skills of members, particularly in the fields of marketing and communication.
Promoting local industries through the website.
Organizing trade missions.

Organizing catalogue days for foreign companies in cooperation with commercial sections in the different embassies and representative offices, in order to enhance trade relations and facilitate the import of necessary machines for the manufacturing process.
Providing information on local and international fairs, as well as activities and other topics pertaining to marketing and promotion.

Business Development Center (BDC):

The Business Development Center (BDC) was established as the business services unit within the BCCI. The goal of BDC is to assist businesses in revitalizing their activities and become sustainable despite the current challenging environment. The BDC team of advisors will assist companies in determining their needs and identifying business service providers that are able to provide business planning services and business solutions.

Mission:

To develop the competitiveness of local businesses by improving access to business development services and business technology.

Services:

Computer and Internet access.
Web site services.

Video conferencing.

Business training programs.

Business counseling and business planning services.

Matching investment opportunities with potential investors.

Matching firms and business service providers that can provide technical assistance.
Forum for businesses to meet and discuss business issues.

BCCI

A Brief History:

The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry is an independent, voluntary, non-political and non-profit entity, which includes members from manufacturers, merchants and professional businesspersons.

BCCI was initially established in Bethlehem in the early fifties, with the first prominent Board of Directors elected in 1952. In 1965, a new Board of Directors was elected. As the Governorate of Bethlehem was extensively preparing itself to celebrate the Second Millennium, and simultaneously witnessing a conspicuous entry into a new period of construction and structural renovations, the Minister of Economy and Commerce issued his resolution to appoint the current Board of Directors that includes a top-notch group of businessmen and economists. Hence, BCCI started a new and prosperous phase in the course of its history. It received inclusive enrollment under the umbrella of the Palestinian Federation for Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Jerusalem, whose membership comprises fourteen Palestinian Chambers.

The BCCI aims to accelerate local commercial growth, advance and protect the trading interests of its members, and promote a much-needed commercial cooperation with regional and international chambers of commerce.

BCCI Mission:

The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry is committed to organizing, representing and protecting the interests of the private sector, as well as developing contacts with local and foreign chambers to enhance economic and production activities. It seeks to provide high quality services to its members and assist them in building a healthy business environment that enables them to meet their present and future needs, thus achieving their business and commercial goals and objectives.

BCCI Activities and Services:
BCCI endeavors to organize the commercial and industrial interests of private sector entities in Palestine.
BCCI seeks to represent and protect the business and commercial transactions of private sector entities on a local, regional and international level.
BCCI devises and articulates the collective views of its members on the level of dealing with government departments and other related bodies, and defends its members in matters particularly pertaining to taxes, tariffs, import and export.

BCCI ventures to develop and promote local industries, increase and enhance the size of national production exports, and instigate prominent commercial relationships with other commercial and industrial Arab and foreign chambers.

BCCI ensures that its activities focus on the day-to-day provision of information related to trademarks, taxation, customs regulations, import and export regulations, legal and technical advise pertaining to business and trade matters, membership services and the issuance of all sorts of relevant documents, which include but are not limited to, certificate rules of origin, certificates of financial guarantees, and travel and trade documents.
BCCI collects and publishes statistical data, circulates information via electronic channels, distributes invitations for exhibitions and workshops on a local and international level, and disseminates information and data pertaining to private sector issues.
BCCI strives to develop and promote the businesswomen sector in the Bethlehem Governorate.
BCCI directs its efforts to emphasize the importance of traditional handicrafts of Bethlehem, which include but are not limited to, olivewood, mother of pearl, ceramics and glass. It also strives to promote these handicrafts overseas.
BCCI organizes various training courses and workshops to upgrade the skills of its members and update the knowledge of merchants and traders in its area.

BCCI organizes trade missions and participates in local and international exhibitions.