Table of contents |
---|
Introduction |
Economic and Political Outline |
Business Practices |
Tax System |
Legal Environment |
POPULATION: 4,97 million (2015) [1]
POPULATION GROWTH: 2.8 % annual(2016) [2]
URBAN POPULATION: 73.9% (as of mid of 2016) [3]
LANGUAGE: Arabic, English
MEDIAN AGE: 20.8 years West Bank, 16.9 years Gaza Strip [4]
AREA: 27,000 km2
GOVERNMENT SYSTEM: elected president, appointed cabinet and legislative council
HDI: 0.677 (2015)[5]*
HDI world rank: 113 /187 [6]
*The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic used by the United Nations composed of life expectancy, education, and income indices and aims at ranking countries into four tiers of human development. The index ranges between the value of 0 and 1 where 1 represents the highest level of human development.
INTERNATIONAL DIALING CODE: +970/2 INTERNET SUFFIX: .ps
2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
Palestinian Exports | 782,369 | 900,618 | 943,717 | 957,811 | |
Palestinian Imports | 4,697,356 | 5,163,897 | 5,683,199 | 5,225,467 |
Preliminary estimates indicated a decrease in GDP in Palestine by 3.5% during 2015 compared with 2014; GDP per capita has decreased by more than 0.5% during 2015 compared with 2014.
The largest contributor to the increase in GDP in 2015 was the services and other items activity, which rose by 3.1% and the total number of employees increased by 6.1%. The second contributor was the construction activity with a gross value added rising by 2.1% compared to 2014. The total number of employees in the construction activity also increased by 9.7%.7
Main economic indicators (2011-15)
2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
Real GDP (USD Million) | 6,882 | 7,314 | 7,477 | 7,463.4 | 7,724.6 |
Real GDP per capita | 1,752.5 | 1,807.5 | 1,793.3 | 1,7937.8 | 1,746.8 |
Real GDP annual percentage change (2004 market prices ) | 8.66 | 8.09 | 12.41 | 6.28 | 2.22 |
Inflation Rate (period average, %) | 2.8 | 3.8 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 1.7 |
Unemployement Rate (average in percent of labor force) | 24.5 | 23.7 | 21.0 | 23.0 | 23.4 |
Source :Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) and PCBS
1. Percentage Contribution to GDP by Economic Activity in Palestine for the year 2014
Employment per sector (%) 2015
Agriculture, Fishing & Forestry |
8.7 |
Mining, Quarrying & Manufacturing |
13.0 |
Construction |
15.5 |
Commerce, Restaurants & Hotels |
20.6 |
Transportation, Storage & Communication |
5.8 |
Services & Other Branches |
36.4 |
ٍsource: PCBS,2016
According to the Labour Force Survey, 2015 conducted by the PCBS, it was found that in Palestine 68.7% are wage employees; 18.2% are self-employed; and 6.9% are unpaid family members.
Sector contribution to GDP (2014)
Source: PCBS, 2015
The Services & Other Branches sector is the biggest employer in Palestine with 36.4% as of 2015.
The public sector employed 22% of the workforce (36.9% in Gaza Strip and 16% in the West Bank). The average daily wage for employees in the private sector was 23.34 USD in the West Bank and 13.44 USD in the Gaza Strip.
2. Sources of general economic Information Ministries:
TYPE OF STATE: Semi-presidential republic, elected president, appointed government cabinet led by the Prime minister and a legislative council.
EXECUTIVE POWER: The President of the State of Palestine is the leader of the State. The President is chosen by the Palestinian Central Council (Parliament) and directly appoints the Prime Minister who leads the cabinet.
LEGISLATIVE POWER: The Palestinian Legislative Council is composed of 132 elected members who confirm the appointment of the Prime Minister by the president as well as all positions of the cabinet.
The state of Palestine is open to trade as its trade value represents more than 50% of its GDP. Moreover, customs duties are comparatively low. Despite a negative trade balance, the Palestinian economy is promoting exports and integrates itself into the regional and international economy framework thanks to many free-trade agreements (Please See: Trade Agreements).
Trade indicators (2013 -2015)
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Exports of Goods (thousand USD) | 900,618 | 943,717 | 957,811 |
Imports of Goods (thousand USD) | 5,163,897 | 5,683,199 | 5,225,467 |
Exports of Services (thousand USD) | 876,559 | 190,750 | 175,843 |
Imports of Services (thousands USD) | 1,203,657 | 150,156 | 142,705 |
Trade Balance products (thousands USD) | -4,263,280 | -4,739,482 | -4,267,656 |
Source: PCBS. and ITC database, own computation
Major exports and imports
In 2015, Palestine’s major export products were building stone; ; olive oil, virgin; cigarettes; marble and travertine ; fresh cucumber ; footwear ; mattresses; wooden furniture for bedrooms; and upholstered seats.
The industrial sector dominates in terms export activity. The stone and marble industry is the flagship of Palestinian exported goods. More than 10 companies from that industry export at high levels –between 91-100% of their annual turnovers. In 2015, the stone and marble industry exported goods valued at US$183 million, the agro-food processing at US$200 million, and the furniture industry’s exports were valued at almost at US$101 million (Trademap, 2015).
Growth of national supply and international demand for export products of Palestine (2010-2014)
Source: International Trade Centre (ITC)
Main Trading partners
Main customer (% of exports) | 2015 | Main supplier (% of imports) | 2015 |
Israel | 83.9 | Israel | 58.3 |
Jordan | 6.3 | Turkey | 7.3 |
UAE | 2 | China | 7 |
Saudi Arabia | 1.5 | Germany | 2.8 |
Kuwait | 1.3 | Jordan | 2.7 |
Others | 5 | Others | 21.9 |
Source: COMTRADE
Exchange Rate System
CURRENCY: New Israel Shekel (NIS). Jordanian dinars (JOD) and US dollars (USD) are also used in many business transactions.
EXCHANGE RATE REGIME: Floating exchange rate
Bilateral Trade Agreements with the following countries / entities:
NATIONAL: Palestinian Standards Institution, memorandum of understanding signed with ASTM International
INTERNATIONAL: International Standards organization (ISO)
Business etiquettes in the Arab world in general could be assumed as follow:
For more information about business practices in Palestine click here: Doing Business in Palestine 2014 PALTRADE DOCUMENT
Tax rate
Palestinian companies and businesses | 15% |
Excluding telecommunication companies and pure monopolistic companies | 20% |
Source: PIPA
TAX YEAR: From January 1 to December 31
RESIDENCE: A corporation is resident if it is incorporated in Palestine or managed and controlled in Palestine.
BASIS: Residents and legal entities, including branches of foreign entities, are taxed on their taxable income in Palestine computed in accordance with the tax law.
TAXABLE INCOME: Corporate tax is imposed on a company’s net profits, which consist of business/trading income, passive income (except for dividends received from resident companies), and 75% of the gains realized from trading in equity securities and bonds.
Taxable income of resident persons and companies includes foreign income derived from their funds or deposits in Palestine.
Taxable income is computed on an accrual basis, except for interest and commissions on doubtful debts of financial institutions, which are taxable on a cash basis.
TAXATION OF DIVIDENDS: Dividends received from resident entities are exempt from tax.
CAPITAL GAINS: Capital gains are taxed at regular rates; however, 25% of the capital gains derived from the sale of investments in equity securities and bonds are exempt
RATES: The standard VAT rate is 15% as from 1 October 2012.
This rate also applies on imported goods but the VAT can be deducted as input tax if declared at the VAT authority.
Small companies with annual revenue less than USD 12 000 are exempt from taxes
West-bank and Gaza | Middle-East | OECD | |
Number of Payments of Taxes per Year | 28 | 17.8 | 10.9 |
Time Taken For Administrative Formalities (Hours) | 162 | 208.2 | 136.4 |
Total Share of Taxes (% of Profit) | 15.3 | 32.3 | 40.9 |
Source: Doing business data
For more Information on the Palestinian tax system:
No specific accounting standards are required by statute except in regulated sectors. In practice IFRS are the standards of reference. All companies are required to file annual financial statements with their Registrars within four months of the year-end.
Non-audit activities, including bookkeeping and preparation of tax returns are unregulated; PACPA membership is required only for firms or individuals issuing independent audit reports.
The external audit must be performed by a licensed member of the PACPA (Palestinian Association of Certified Public Accountants).
LISTED COMPANIES REQUIREMENTS: Submit audited financial statements—comprising a balance sheet, income changes in equity and cash flow statement—on an annual basis to the Palestinian Stock Exchange (PSE) and the Palestinian Capital Market Authority (PCMA).
The Palestinian Association of Certified Public Accountants (PACPA) is the professional association of auditors, which currently consists of 200 members PACPA is a member of International Federation of Accountants IFAC
Summary of regulations
Listed companies | Non-listed companies | |
Regulatory Agency | Palestine Capital Markets Authority (PCMA) & Palestine Stock Exchange (PSE) | Companies registrar & Palestine Capital Markets Authority |
Financial Reporting Standards | IAS (International Accounting Standards ) |
not specified |
Audit requirement | yes | yes |
Publication & others | Publication on PSE, audit staff rotation every 5 years | Financial Statement via the Companies Registrar |
Deadlines | 3 months (annual), 45 days (interim) | 4 months from year-end |
Basic Law | Securities law of 2004 , PCMA regulation 5 (2008) , PSE Disclosure regulations of 2006 |
West Bank: Jordanian Companies Law (1964) |
Source: World Bank report 56402. West Bank and Gaza: Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) Accounting and Auditing. July, 2010.
The Palestinian legal system is in the process of reforming to become mature and well built based on international legal standards.
Until the adoption of the new company registration law, the Companies Registration Department of the Ministry of National Economy, who is responsible for company registration of legal entities permitted to do business in Palestine, handles the registration process.
Business in the West Bank is regulated by the Jordanian Law No.12 of 1964 which classifies and regulates companies as follow:
Companies’ classification
Name | Number of founders | Capital | Legal obligation | Managing rights | |
WEST BANK: Jordanian Law No.12 of 1964 | Regular Public Company (Solidarity company) | 2-20 | Not specified | All partnersare jointly liable for covering the debts of the company and for all of their contracts and obligations | All partners can participate in managing the company without having the right to receive any benefits and rewards as compensation unless all partners agree otherwise. |
Regular Limited Liability Company | 2-20 | Not specified | 2 types of partners: - General type of partners jointly liable for the compan'y debts, contracts and obligations - Partners with limited liability up to the ammount of capital their invested | Partners with limited liability may not have managing rights | |
Public Shareholding Limited Liability Company | Min. of 7 | Min. of 30 000 JOD of tradable shares to the public | Limited Liability up to the capital invested | Board of directors of 5 to 11 members elected for 4 years are managing | |
Private Limited Liability Corporation | 2-50 | Min. 2000 JOD splited as shares; not publicly traded | Limited Liability up to the capital invested | Number of shareholders <20: the partners decide how to manage the company. Number of shareholders >20: Board of directors of 2-5 members elected every 4 years | |
Foreign company: regular or shareholding | Should register within the Company Registrar. Shareholding company, must present a report on their business within 3 months of the end of every financial years their business within 3 months of the end of every financial year and a copy of their financial reports prepared by a certified audit firm. |
Source : Palestinie Trade Center- PalTrade
The Palestinian National Authority is an observer member of the World Intellectual Property Organization since 2005 and is in the process of drafting a protection of Intellectual Property Rights Law.
Since 1997 the State of Palestine has been adhering to WTO standards and regulations. High efforts are put forth to preserve WTO standards especially in term of Intellectual Property in the framework of the Trade Related Intellectual Property (TRIPS). The TRIPS sets minimum standards regarding property rights such as patents, copyrights and trademarks as well as enforcement mechanisms such as civil judicial procedures, deterrent mechanisms and borders measures
Intellectual property rights overview
Length | |
Trademark | 7 years renewable |
Patents | 20 years |
Utility Model or Design Application | 15 years |
Copyrights | 50 years after the death of the author of the work |
Labor law
Labor regulations overview
Issues | Policies |
Work Day / Week | Max 45hrs/ week; no daily limit |
Weekly holiday | One day per week; any day |
Overtime | Paid at 150% of the salary |
Annual leave | Min. 14 days for the first 5 days of employement; 21 days thereafter |
Serverance pay | 1 month of salary (excluding overtime hours) accrued per year, with no accumulation limit. |
Worker's accident insurance | All employers are required to carry insurance for employees |
Sick leave | Days 1-14=100% of salary; Days 15 -28=50% of salary. |
Minimum wage | 1450 NIS |
Transportation reimbursement | Not required |
Maternity leave | 100% of pay for a total leave period of 10 weeks, providing that 6 weeks are taken after the delivery day |
Social security and medical insurance | None |
Source: Palestine Labor law
Temporary work contracts cannot exceed a maximum of two consecutive years with the same employer. If work continues for longer than this period then the contract is considered a long-term contract of unlimited duration. Additionally, the law limits the trial period of employment to no more than three months. Individual contracts may be terminated under any of the following circumstances: the agreement of both parties, the end of its duration for ad hoc, temporary or seasonal business, at the expressed wish of any of the two parties during the trial period or at the expressed wish of the employee on the condition that the employee informs the employer one month in advance if he/she is paid a monthly wage, or one week in advance if he/she is paid on a daily/weekly/or by contract.
The law permits employers to unilaterally terminate a contract without prior notification in case of grave breaches. Regular dismissal related to either redundancy or to the economic situation of the company requires a notice of one month and payment of severance pay, the equivalent of one month per year worked in the establishment.
Labor Disputes
Labor disputes are solved by negotiation within each establishment. If a dispute cannot be resolved within the establishment, either one or both parties have the right to resort to the reconciliation office at the Ministry of Labor. If the reconciliation officer fails to resolve the conflict within 10 days,the minister is obliged to refer this dispute to a reconciliation committee consisting of a ministry staff member who heads the committee and an equal number of members selected by both the employer and the employees. If this committee fails to resolve the dispute within two weeks, the parties are free to resort to court.
Juvenile Work
It is forbidden to employ children under the age of 15. Juveniles aged 15 – 18 who are eligible to work, need to be subjected to a medical examination prior to employment, to be repeated every 6 months. Those under the age of 18 cannot be employed in dangerous industries or industries that damage health, nor are they allowed to work at night.
The daily working hours must be reduced for juveniles by no less than one hour daily. The annual holiday for juveniles is 21 days and it cannot be postponed to the following year.
[1] PCBS
[2] PCBS
[3] PCBS
[4] CIA fact book
[5] UNDP
[6] UNDP
(7) PCBS