  
  
WT/MIN(22)/ST/55  
12 June 2022 
(22-4492) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR KHAL ID OSAILY  
MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY  
PALESTINE  
(Speaking as an Observer)  
I have the honor  and privilege of speaking at the World Trade Organization's twelfth Ministerial 
Conference on behalf of Palestine.  
On behalf of their Excellencies, President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad 
Shtayyeh, I'd like to greet your conference support  for the Palestinian request for observership at 
the Ministerial Conference.  
Allow me to begin by congratulating Dr. Ngozi Oko njo-Iweala for the designation as Director General 
of the World Trade Organization, as well as Mr. Timur Suleimenov designated Cha irperson of this 
conference; and I am sure that under his leadership it will be possible to achieve fruitful results . 
We were pleased to attend this conference since it demonstrates Palestinian commitment to the 
WTO norms. Despite the fact that we have bee n fulfilling WTO commitments since they were 
incorporated in our trade agreements, we are neither a member nor an observer at the WTO.  
Nonetheless, the Palestinian government has embarked on ambitious and realistic reform program 
aimed at improving the bus iness and investment climate, as well as adhering to the principles of an 
open economy and the rule of law in international trade. In addition to our continued efforts to 
implement a variety of legislation, such as the most modernized law in the region, th e Companies' 
Law. 
Furthermore, since small, micro, and medium businesses account for 98 % of the Palestinian 
economy, the Cabinet has approved a uniform definition of small and micro enterprises, as they are 
the engine of development. We are currently deve loping policies and strategies to support this 
sector, as well as continuing to sign bilateral agreements with regional and global partners to 
facilitate the access of the Palestinian products.  
I'd want to reiterate the Palestinian government's support for  all of the issues outlined in the Arabic 
ministerial statement, as well as the Palestinian government's intention to join the World Trade 
Organization, and we reaffirm our commitment to our obligations and rights at this conference.  
We are confident that the WTO's principles and disciplines, as well as our engagement in the global 
trading system, will serve to bring peace to our region, which Palestine is committed to.  
We recognize – and also have real experience with – how trade barriers can be just as da maging to 
the growth of a society as political or physical barriers.  
In fact, the globe has seen a series of crises, including the start of COVID -19 and its terrible social 
and economic consequences, and we are currently experiencing a crisis brought on by  high prices 
and supply chain disruptions induced by protectionism.  WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 55 
 
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  During the health pandemic, we learned that collaboration, information sharing, and vaccine aid for 
developing and least developed countries will improve our ability to combat the pandemic and all 
mutations that come from it.  
In view of the current crisis,  the solution should focus on promote collaboration and the continuance 
of the flow of commodities and trade between countries, rather than to increase protection and halt 
exports. Furthermore, ensuring that basic commodities reach developing and least dev eloped 
countries.  
Today, I'm speaking about the devastating effects of the health crisis and high prices on Palestinian 
society, as well as the Israeli occupation's barriers, roadblocks, discriminatory measures, and 
restrictions on the free movement of goo ds and people, as well as the lack of control over and 
confiscation of our natural resources. In 2020, the GDP shrank by 11.3 %, and while growth improved 
in 2021 to 7.1 %, yet, the budget deficit is predicted to remain significant in 2022, at 5.1 % of GDP. 
Unemployment has risen to 24 %, with young people accounting for 45  % of the workforce in Gaza 
strip, and poverty has approached 60 %. 
Foreign trade, we believe, is a critical component of achieving economic growth in developing 
countries. As a result, I'm here with you today to underline the WTO's role in regulating trade ties, 
as well as all members' commitment to the organization's rul es.  
We believe that Palestine's integration into the WTO system will support in the development of 
Palestinian economy in accordance with the multilateral trading system's principles and spirit.  We're 
willing to take on the obligations that come with them , and we're excited to enjoy the benefits that 
come with them.  
Palestine's participation in the General Council and its subsidiary bodies is a significant step toward 
its inclusion into the rules -based global trading system. Initially, Palestine intends to  renew its 
application to join the World Trade Organization as an observer.  
Our goal is for Palestine to have a prosperous, dynamic, peaceful, and open economy that is fully 
integrated into the world economic system. Thank you for your continued support to  work together 
to bring it to fruition.  
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