A new trade era will begin at the end of this month when the first direct export of Palestinian agricultural produce from the West Bank and Gaza Strip reach the European market, European Community sources said here Tuesday.
The initial consignment of 6,000 tons, mainly grapefruit grown in Gaza, will go to importers in West Germany, Britain, Holland and Denmark.
A total of 16,000 tons of fruits and vegetables from the Israeli-administered territories is expected under a contract between Israel, the Palestinian exporters and the European Community.
Until now, exports from the territories had to be marketed through Agrexco, the official Israel government export agency. Israel was reluctant to allow Palestinians to export their goods independently.
But Israel, bowing to pressure from the E.C. Executive Commission and the Parliament of Europe, agreed to allow direct Palestinian exports.
Israel was forced to make that concession so that the Parliament of Europe would ratify three trade protocols that Israel signed over a year ago with the 12 nations belonging to the European Community.
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