July 1999

Palestine territories Master Report

I- General Background

1. General Telecommunication Policy

The official policy of the Palestinian National Authority is to engage the private sector in all the operational aspects of the telecommunication market in Palestine while at the same time maintain the role of policy making and regulatory monitoring within the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication.

The Telecommunication Law in effect, decreed and signed by President Arafat on the 18^th of January 1996, vests ownership of the sector in the PNA and provided the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication the right to establish, operate and manage telecommunication networks in Palestine and connect these networks internationally. In addition, it allows the Palestinian Legislative Council to grant concessions to public network operators and entrusts the Ministry to issue permits to operate private networks.

2. Institutional structures in charge of the regulatory issues

Since the signing of the Oslo I agreement between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel resulting in the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority a number of parties and institutions have influenced the telecommunication sector in Palestine. The extent of the influence of each party has changed from time to time depending on the particulars of the policy or regulation matters in reference to the overall political, social and economic aspects involved. For example, while the technical details of the licensing agreement of the Palestine Telecommunication Company, PALTEL, was handled by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication, the corporate structure of the company and the limits of its monopolistic activities was decided by the office of the President, through his economic adviser, and influential private sector players.

External to national institutions and players, the Ministry of Communication of Israel continues to play a role in the Palestinian telecommunication sector by virtue of the interim agreement governing the relationships between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. Its role is particularly prominent with matters that involve international connectivity and spectrum management as the membership of Palestine in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is less than that of a sovereign state.

The players of most influence on the sector are:

2.1. Ministry of Post and Telecommunication

Established along with other ministries with the formation of the Palestinian National Authority in 1993, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication is the official owner of the sector. Its declared responsibilities and activities include deciding on fundamental policy issues, regulatory frameworks, as well as day-to-day monitoring of the sector. In addition, the Ministry decides on spectrum usage among services and operators subject to frequency ranges conveyed by the Israeli Ministry of Communication.

2.2. Office of the President through the office of his Economic Adviser

The role of the Economic Adviser of the President has been dominant in telecommunication projects involving major investments such as that of PALTEL.

2.3. Ministry of Planning and International Co-operation

A special division within the Ministry called the Government Computer Centre (GCC) is responsible for all governmental telecommunication needs in particular data communication requirements relating to the various information systems such as population registry. In addition, the GCC took upon itself the responsibility of monitoring the performance of the various governmental and public utility operators in relation to the Year 2000 problem including PALTEL.

2.4. The Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction (PECDAR)

In May 1999, PECDAR, in response to a direct request from the President and the Legislative Council, formed a special board, annotated "The Information and Communication Technologies Advisory Board (ICTAB)", in order to review the various regulations and legislation relating to Information Technologies including the telecommunication sector. ICTAB is made up of a broad representation of stakeholders including individuals from academia, the private sector, prominent economists, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, and PALTEL. Although the exact role of ICTAB is yet to be defined, it is expected that it will assume the role of an independent regulator pushing for a healthy development of Information Technology in terms of telecommunication regulations, educational policies and industry.

2.5. PALTEL

PALTEL assumed its operational responsibilities in January 1997 after a long process of negotiations for its license. The exact terms of the agreement are not widely spread as the license is maintained as a top-secret document. Nonetheless, PALTEL behaves as the only operator licensed for all telecommunication services including all value-added-services such as, mobile communication, Internet and data communication. It is expected that PALTEL will influence the regulatory framework of Palestine for years to come through it's influential larger-shareholders.

2.6. The Israeli Influence

Israel continues to play a significant role in the Palestinian telecommunication sector by virtue of the various agreements governing the relationships between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The agreements of Oslo I and Oslo II include annexes on telecommunication. The Israeli participants in the Palestinian telecommunication sector are:

• Ministry of Communication: The role of the Ministry is to apply the terms and conditions of the Israeli-Palestinian agreements regarding the telecommunication sector. The most important role is to grant the Palestinian Authorities permission to use either pre-agreed frequency ranges or approve new ones in response to requests stemming from the Palestinian Ministry of Post and Communication.

• The Telecommunication Office of the Former Israeli Civil Administration: Although the role of this office is diminishing as the Palestinian telecommunication network is approaching independence from the Israeli network, it has played a role in the transfer of the network in the West Bank to the Palestinian control. In addition it still holds responsibility for microwave relay stations within the West Bank that are either still under Israeli security control or are located within Israeli settlements and military locations.

• The Israeli National Telecommunication Company (Bezeq): A residue of the past Israeli control of the telecommunication network in Palestine is its dependence on the Israeli network in terms of regional transport and international connectivity. This has resulted in an implied influence of Bezeq, nonetheless, PALTEL has taken significant steps towards eliminating this influence by means of deploying a backbone of fibber-optic/microwave transmission network. It is expected that PALTEL will shortly re-route its inter-regional transport through this network. Additional steps are underway in order to minimise the dependency in international connectivity. PALTEL is in the process of erecting satellite earth stations.

It is important to note that the Israeli influence on the telecommunication sector is expected to diminish if the negotiations regarding the final political status of Palestine resume.

3. International relationships and agreements

Unique to any other country in the world, Palestine is directly influenced by its political agreements with Israel. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel embarked upon peace negotiations in 1993. This lead to a number of agreements starting with a declaration of principles (DOP), which set the framework and agenda for a series of negotiations culminating in the Oslo I and Oslo II agreements. The gist of these agreements with reference to the telecommunication sector may be summarised as follows:

• That the Palestinians have the right to establish their own telecommunication networks and infrastructures.
• The Palestinians have the right to establish appropriate policies and regulatory frameworks.
• The Palestinians have the right to make their network independent from the Israeli networks.
• The Palestinian Authority is the only party responsible for granting licenses for operating telecommunication services in Palestine
• The Palestinians have the right to levy royalties for all calls originating or terminating in all Palestinian territories regardless of the security control zoning
• The Palestinians are allocated frequency ranges for their use while the overall frequency management is retained by Israel
• International and regional connectivity shall be inter-mediated by duly licensed Israeli operators.

Recent attempts by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication to obliterate the Israeli restrictions on international connectivity have been successful. The Ministry managed to secure a successful vote among the members of the ITU to grant Palestine an international country code. The code 970 has been granted and a number of countries have started using it. 

4. Regulatory framework

4.1. Historical overview

Prior to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, the Telecommunication Office of the Israeli Civil Administrations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip assumed the role of the policy maker, regulator and operator. No formal regulatory framework existed. The sole consideration in providing telecommunication services was based on maximum profit generation with minimal investment in accordance with an exploitation policy, typical of the occupation. This resulted in limited telecommunication services concentrated in the limited business sectors of the main cities. No value-added services of any nature existed. On the other hand, the general policy favoured Israeli companies in terms of equipment provision. The switching capacity was totally controlled by a single Israeli telecommunication equipment supplier.

With the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication assumed the role of the regulator. While the official policy of the Palestinian Authority is to engage the private sector in all operational aspects and thus establish a regulatory framework adequate for a liberalised market it is evident that the framework does not exhibit coherence or maturity for stimulating the required activities of the private sector.

The only sizeable regulatory activity was issuing the license agreement of the Palestine Telecommunication Company, PALTEL, as a provider of telecommunication services. Neither the scope nor the monopolistic characteristics of the license have been publicised. As a result, the regulatory framework does not provide the adequate transparency for the involvement of the private sector.

In addition, the Ministry has been selective in exercising its regulatory duties. For example it has failed to cap the excessive tariffs levied by PALTEL for data-communication services such as point to point leased lines, whereas, it has imposed unprecedented licensing fees on the consumers of such services.

The telecommunication equipment market lacks any regulatory standardisation. Most of the equipment is channelled through Israel and is subject to compliance with Israeli standards. On the other hand, the Ministry has imposed licensing procedures marked by excessive fees for trading with wire-line and wire-less telecommunication equipment and is trying to expand this policy to the data-communication market.

Spectrum management is limited to rationing the frequencies that were allocated by Israel for the use of the Palestinian Authority as provisioned by the Telecommunication annexes of the Oslo agreements. Issuing of licenses for local radio stations is also marked by excessive fees and does not exhibit clear policy criteria for the selection of frequency allocation for services or bidders.

4.2. Present general legislation

The present legislative system in Palestine is of mixed heritage. The system combines Islamic rules from the Ottoman era, English Common Law and French Civil Code principles, in addition to Jordanian legislation (particularly in the West Bank) and customary practices. The result is a complex set of legal principles layered atop each other without philosophical coherence.

The courts in Palestine are two-tiered: First Instance and Appeals in the West Bank and similarly in Gaza, although in Gaza, the court of appeals is a Supreme Court. The trial system is adversarial. Palestine does not use juries.

4.3. Key legislative measures

In an attempt to rectify the judicial system in Palestine in a manner that encourages investment and development that is dreadfuly needed, the Palestinian National Authority has embarked on a set of legislative measures. Among these measures are:

4.3.1 Industrial Zones Law

The Law on the Industrial Estates and Industrial Free Zones was enacted in 1998. The Law designates certain areas Free Zones to facilitate the establishment of regional and international export centres. An autonomous Industrial Estate and Industrial Free Zone Authority was established to oversee such development. This authority is entrusted to creating a regulatory framework for the success of their operations.

4.3.2 Law on the Encouragement of Investment

The law was enacted in 1998 with the objective of providing a comprehensive framework of guarantees, incentives and benefits to the investor.

The Guarantees include:

• Protection for all investors and investments and grants specific incentives for projects creating or expanding economic activities in certain sectors as technology.
• Prohibition on discrimination against any investor on the basis of nationality.
• Prohibition of expropriation of investment; in the event of expropriation for a public purpose, enterprises will be compensated fair market value.
• Protection of confidential information unless the investor gives his written consent or a court order from a Palestinian court compels disclosure.
• Preferential treatment is permitted on a narrow basis arising from bilateral or multilateral agreements.

The Incentives include:

• Exemption from Income Taxation: All investments will be exempt from income tax for the first 5 years. Investments exceeding US$5 million are granted an additional 20-year period at the rate of 10%. Any special investment in type and capital may be entitled to an additional 20-year period at the rate of 10%. Exemptions between US$1million-5million are granted an additional 12-year period at the rate of 10%.

• Exemption from Customs Duties: Equipment and heavy machinery and their imported spare parts are exempt.

• Other exemptions:
  • Furniture imported for hotels, electrical appliances and electronics imported for tourism enterprises, hotels and hospitals, are exempt from customs duties.
  • A price increase in the value of fixed assets when the increase is a result of rising prices outside the investor's’ contract shall be exempt from customs duties.
  • The exemption period may be extended for 2 years if local input in the equipment, machines and fixtures exceed 60%.
  • The exemption period may be extended up to 5 years depending on the nature and location of the enterprise.
  • Additional exemptions may be granted to enterprises engaged in export provided export percentage is not less than 30% of the total.
  • Exemption from payment of purchase tax on specific items.
  • VAT refunds.

• Benefits:

• Free transfers of foreign currency and freedom for repatriation of income generated from investment in Palestine.
• Investors may invest in any sector of the Palestine economy under the free admission principle.
• Confirmations are speedy and free involving a smooth process for acquiring official approval.
• Enterprises already benefiting from incentives may be freely transferred to a new owner who can benefit from the same incentives.
• Changes in corporate structure do not necessarily affect incentives already granted.
• Real estate development enterprises and housing mortgage companies may enjoy the benefits and incentives provided by this Law.
• Fixed assets that are exempt may be sold or assigned to another investor enjoying benefits under this Law.

4.4. Issues

4.4.1.Liberalisation

4.4.2. Licensing

Apart from the licensing agreement of PALTEL, the licensing procedures in Palestine thus far may be characterized as "Class Licensing" type. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunication has setup a regime of licensing for almost every aspect of the telecommunication sector. The regime includes both consumers as well as providers of services. The following is a sample list:

Class License for Internet service providers

• A rigorous process for applications including clearances from the tax authorities and local government
• An annual licensing fee of US $ 1400

Class License for users of leased lines

• A rigorous process for applications including clearances from the tax authorities and local government
• An annual licensing fee of US $ 1400

Class License for trade in wire-line and wire-less equipment (including telephone sets, PBX's, cellular terminals, fax machines,…)

• A rigorous process for applications including clearances from the tax authorities and local government
• An annual licensing fee of US $ 1400

Class License for FM radio stations

• A rigorous process for applications including clearances from the tax authorities and local government
• An annual licensing fee of US $ 1400

4.4.3 Universal Service / Tariffs policies / Quality of service

As the license of PALTEL has not been made public, only observations about Universal Service, Tariffs and QoS can be made.

Universal Service: PALTEL has exerted a considerable effort in providing telephony to remote villages and small population concentrations. It has connected tens of villages in the West Bank (where the population is disbursed).

Tariffs Policy: It is evident that PALTEL is subject to continuous pressure from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication to reduce the cost of telecommunication services. While success has bee evident in telephony services, the value-added services such as point-to-point leased lines are still highly priced. For example, the Minister of Post and Telecommunication has just announced that the Ministry have succeeded in modifying the telephone service rates as follows:

• 35% reduction on all international calls
• Local calls (with in area) has changed tariff form NIS 0.29 per unit (unit length varies between 3 minutes/unit in peak hours and 38 minutes/unit in off-hours) to NIS 0.03 per minute.
• On the other hand leased line users continue to pay US $ 475 for a managed 64Kbps national link.

Quality of Service: Although considerable improvements are needed, quality of service has improved since PALTEL assumed operational responsibility. The following are indicators.

4.5. Call Completion Rates on Incoming International Calls

Source - Golden Lines Company

Call Completion Ratios on Incoming Calls to Local Exchanges

Exchange Call Completion Ratio (%)

• Nablus 66.9
• Ramallah 78.2
• Al Ram 72.6
• Bethlehem 71.5
• Hebron 57.4
• Gaza 70.9
• Average 69.6
• Source: Paltel

Service Restoration - % of Faults on Customers Lines Cleared within 24/48hours

Fault Indices (numbers of faults per 100 lines per annum) on Customers’ Lines.

5. Freedom and protection 

5.1 Intellectual Property (IPR)

Palestine aims to apply for membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). WTO related IPR rules are being examined to determine the scope of compliance required. The PNA has committed to modernise its intellectual property laws. Presently, Trade-name Law No. 30 of 1953; Trademark Law No. 33 of 1952; Patent Law No. 22 of 1953 due to their old policy considerations do not reflect the changes in intellectual property rights. As to copyright, Ottoman Mejjlah principles apply. Presently, the Ministry of Culture has prepared a draft Copyright Law. The draft Copyright Law will be reviewed for WTO compliance. As for the existing laws, the Ministry of Economy and Trade is presently reviewing the draft law for compliance with WTO TRIPS.

5.2 Privacy, data protection, consumer protection

Computer-related crimes such as theft of information, fraud, record falsification, piracy are not covered in the Palestinian criminal law. The language of existing provisions is sufficiently broad that computer crimes may be included, however changes to the criminal law are under consideration required. The draft Copyright Law addressed copyright of computer programs and software.

In Palestine, adequate protection of privacy is lacking. While some Government Registers such as the Company Register, Commercial Register and Land Register have rules for access through the operation of, say the Company Law or Real Property Law or Police Registers, other information databases that are becoming electronically available have not been addressed - neither the proposed basic law nor other legislation such as a Privacy Law or Official Secrets Law or Data Protection Law. While the public may have difficulty accessing information about their own records, the police for example can easily have unlimited access.

6. Information Society Policies

The signing of the first peace agreement, titled Declaration of Principals (DOP) on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, in Washington DC between the Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Israel on September 13, 1993 set the framework for limited territorial withdrawal from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip by Israel and introduced the structure of a recognized Palestinian governmental body, the Palestine National Authority (PNA) to replace the Israeli Civil Administration. The PNA, in light of the DOP and subsequent agreements with the Israelis, is legally permitted to "build and operate separate and independent communications systems and infrastructures including telecommunication networks." (Article 36 of the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Washington D.C., September 28, 1995. Also referred to as the Oslo II agreement.)

PNA promotes and supports the use of information technology in all the areas of the government structure.

IS Application Areas

6.1 Education

6.1.1 The Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Higher Education strives towards initiating a qualitative leap forward in higher education from a strategic point of view and through daily interaction with Palestinian universities and colleges.

The Ministry has established councils, administrations and departments and sections in order to help achieve the above-mentioned aims. Each Directorate-General has its own work plan emanating from the Ministry’s general objectives.

Departments:

• Comptroller’s Office
• Legal Counselor’s Office
• D. G. of Financial and Administrativ Affairs
• D. G. of Planning and Development
• D. G. of International And Cultural Relations
• D. G. of Licensing, Authentication & Certificate Equivalency & Verification
• D. G. of Technical Education and Colleges
• D. G. of University Education
• D. G. of Student Affairs
• D. G. of Public Affairs
• D. G. for Scientific Research

• Directorate General of Planning and Development.

The Directorate – General of Planning and Development is in charge of compiling quantitative and qualitative data on higher education in Palestine. It is responsible for laying out a strategic plan for scientific research and its support, in addition to preparing the Ministry’s plans and those of higher education in Palestine in general. Follow-up of these plans, their implementation, evaluation and proposing development programs for Palestinian universities and colleges are also part of the Directorate General’s responsibilities.

The Directorate General comprises the following departments and sections:

• The information Systems Department which includes the following sections:

1. Data Base
2. Statistics and Testing
3. Documentation, Publishing and Printing section which includes the Library Division.

The information Systems Department is responsible for gathering quantitative and qualitative data on Palestinian higher education and preparing the tools necessary, i.e. questionnaires for the above mentioned purpose. In addition, the department is responsible for documentation, categorization, classification and tabulation of the information in computerized databases. The department analyses the data and publishes it as reports and special leaflets. The department also offers technical support to researchers from the Ministry or to outsiders through its databases and leaflets or by other means.

• The planning and Development Department, which includes the following sections:

1. Planning
2. Development
3. Budget

The planning Department is responsible for setting both short and long-term plans for the Ministry and Palestinian higher education, in addition to proposing developmental programs for Palestinian universities and colleges. The department also assumes responsibility for preparing the Ministry’s budget.

• The Computer Department, which includes the following, sections:

1. Maintenance and Internal Networking
2. Programming and Internet

The Computer Department is in charge of installation and maintenance of the internal network, in addition to running programs and building any computer software needed by the various departments and sections at the Ministry. The department also transmits the Ministry’s activities and news to the world through the Internet, in addition to retrieving information needed by the Directorate-General for Planning or other Directorates for purposes of research or planning.

6.1.2 PASNet

PASNet is an information and communications network for the institutions of higher education and research in Palestine. This network depends on electronic communications to connect Palestinian institutions of higher education to international networks and universities. The aim is to exchange information, share resources and strengthen ties between students, professors and employees in the academic and research fields.

6.1.3 Birzeit University

The Across Borders Project was initiated in January 1999 by the Birzeit University Information Technology Unit. It aims to bring Internet technology into Palestinian refugee camps across the Middle East and will see the creation of bilingual (English/Arabic) camp websites, including on-line news, oral history and stories from Palestinians refugees. The Across Borders Project also aims to facilitate the connection of refugees with each other.

The pilot phase of the project was launched in Deheishe Camp, near Bethlehem at the Ibdaa Centre. A fully-equipped computer lab was opened in Deheishe on Saturday 24 July, and 10 camp residents have completed a 36-hour training course at Birzeit University. Courses in basic computer use and internet training have been launched.

By utilizing the latest in internet technology Palestinian refugees living in camps will be able to directly communicate with the world on an unprecedented scale. Importantly, this communication will be coming directly from refugees themselves, not mediated by other interests. The camp websites will revolutionize the ability of refugees to portray their situation to the international community. They promise to increase the advocacy efforts of refugees and their representative bodies through raising their voice on an international stage.

6.2. Medicine - Health

Since its establishment in 1994, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has assumed direct responsibility for the provision and development of health services in the Palestinian territories. The Ministry has been striving to optimize the utilization of the available resources and opportunities, in order to attain its goals of meeting the health needs of the Palestinian population. Among the resources to assist the MOH are Technical Assistance Projects (TAP), including the Health Service Management Unit.

The HSMU was established in 1995 by the Ministry of Health, with the assistance of UNICEF and the Italian Cooperation. The global objective of HSMU is to contribute to building up the technical managerial, and administrative skills that are needed to run an efficient and effective health system.

The HSMU strives to foster a quality-oriented corporate managerial culture at all levels of the Palestinian National Health System, including Primary Health and Hospital care.

The management of HSMU: is based on a tripartite arrangement among the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Italian Government and the UNICEF. A Steering Committee meets regularly to discuss HSMU quarterly plans and budget. Working sessions with MOH are regularly organized for implementation of HSMU plan.

One of the HSMU goals is the development of Health Information System:

The Health Management Information System

Background

The Palestinian health sector suffers from the lack of reliable data on many aspects such as morbidity, mortality and other health status measures. This fact, therefore, complicates the process of identifying priorities, making policies and allocation of resources, both efficiently and effectively. As indicated in the Palestinian National Health Plan (NHP), an efficient nation-wide computerized communication link facilitating the operation of an efficient Management Information System (MIS), is very significant for improving the health care management. Also, the NHP identified MIS as a priority area to improve the quality and efficiently of the Palestinian health care system.

The current MIS is suffering from disorganization, lack of unified regulations and standardization. The health Information is not appropriately collected and processed leading to production of unreliable health information and indicators. This, in turn, will negatively affect the planning process. This situation is a result of lack of an appropriate hardware and qualified personnel.

Therefore, the Ministry of Health developed several proposals concerning this issue and presented them to donors. Moreover, the Ministry of Planning & International cooperation conducted feasibility studies for establishment of communication links. Some of these proposals have been approved by the World Bank. Unfortunately, these efforts lack coordination and are fragmented. If this situation persists, the allocated money will be wasted or misused leading to failure in achieving one of the main goals of the MOH in developing a proper MIS system and improving the health care system in Palestine.

The communication system linking the West Bank & Gaza Strip is vital since the optimal utilization of the scarce resources available for health care in developing countries like Palestine is a priority. Such a system will lead to more rational and timing decisions, and on the basis of accurate and comprehensive information, rapid implementation, and effective monitoring.

Once a computer network is established to cover the community health centers in Palestine it would be possible for information to be communicated nation-wide.

The MOH has commissioned on a competitive base, a local firm to conduct feasibility study concerning communication links and to pilot its implementation. In addition, it has developed a project to establish an MIS on a national level. On that account, the MOH intends to effectively use local and international resources in coordination with the Ministry of Planning & International Cooperation via its governmental Computer System, in order to establish the communication hardware that links the West Bank & Gaza Strip and to train people who will use this system. The hardware & training are, indeed, the main areas where this money can be rationally invested. The MOH, presents this document aiming at outlining the process of re-organizing the resources available and redirecting & integrating efforts for conducting this project.

The objectives

General Objectives:

1. Develop a nation wide computerized communication links facilitating the operating of an effective health management information system to be connected to the National Information System that link all Palestinian ministries.
2. Serve the Palestinian community by a system that collects, tabulates, stores and makes the information on demography, health status and health resources available for policy makers in the health area.

Specific Objectives:

1. Develop a well-functioning computerized MIS on regional level by establishment of a regional MIS in the West Bank and upgrading of the existing one in Gaza Strip.
2. Establish a central computerized MIS unit on national level collating data from both regional MIS units in the Gaza Strip & West Bank.
3. Develop 13 computerized MIS units on district level, each in one of the districts of the West Bank & Gaza Strip to collate data from the health institutions in the relevant area.
4. Provide each central health institution (hospital &/or health center) within each district with equipment & software required for operating the system.
5. Initiate an extensive training for selected health personnel from different governmental health institutions, concurrently with the installation process of MIS hardware, to ensure effective operation of the developed system.

Steps taken to achieve the objectives

1. Development of a strategic plan for Health Management Information System in Palestine.
2. Development of a system for health data gathering in West Bank and Gaza Provinces.
3. Development of a software packages for vital statistics including birth registry, death registry, primary health care activities, hospital discharge information and recently cancer registry in Palestine.
4. Training of local staff on MIS and uses of computer facilities.
5. Preparation of a pilot study for computerization on district level (North Gaza) and on hospital level (Pediatric Hospital - Gaza).
6. Support of Information System at district level in West Bank.
7. Keeping data base information as a resource for planning and research.

Future priorities

Implementation a mechanism for MIS strategic plan

It is expected that the communication of MIS and E-MAIL will be properly functioning at the national, regional, district and the community levels, and will be served by a data system that is capable to:

1. Detect and monitor conditions contributing to morbidity and mortality.
2. Support epidemiological surveillance system.
3. Provide necessary data for development and evaluation of prevention control measures, and research strategies.
4. Identify and create sources of community data to be used in measuring progress of its health status
5. Ensure that organizations follow standardized procedures for collecting health data.
6. Establishing a satellite-based computer network to provide a national health management information system linking all districts of the Gaza Strip & West Bank.
7. At a regional level two central units will be developed so as to collate data from both Gaza Strip and West Bank district units; one of these regional central units is already existing. (Governmental Computer Center, Gaza). A process of establishment the other regional central unit in the west Bank is underway.
8. At a district level, each district unit will be provided with a computer network that connects it to the relevant regional central unit on one hand, and to the health institutions (hospitals/or clinics) on the other.
9. At the institution level, each institution will be provided with equipment ( according to the size of work) enabling them to be networked to their district unit.

6.3 Other

• Ministry of Labour (MOL)

Ministry of Labour was Established in Palestine on 28.7.1994, after signing the Palestine-Israel Declaration of Principles. The functions assigned to Ministry of Labour are being implemented by 12 Central directorates shown in the Ministry of Labour organizational structure, (with several departments, divisions, and sections for each), as follows:

1. Planning & Information
2. Occupational Safety & Health
3. Vocational Training
4. Labour Relations
5. Social Security
6. Labour Inspection
7. Co-operatives
8. National Labour institute
9. Employment
10. International, Arab and public Relations
11. Administrative & Financial Affairs
12. Internal Inspection

• The Hi-Tech Training Center (HTTC)

HTTC, is a Training Center for advanced technical skills with emphasis on computer-based training and methods. The center is a joint project of the Palestinian Ministry of Labour and the HANNS SEIDEL STIFTUNG . The aim of the project is to offer advanced training in computer Aided skills for the Palestinian Workforce.

Mission: HTTC is dedicated on developing a technically skilled workforce, by training the Palestinian workers in utilizing the power of computers as an information, communication, planing, design and manufacturing tool.

Target Groups: HTTC will to target its courses to improve the skills of these groups:
1. Professionals: Such as Doctors, Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Accountants, statisticians, managers, researchers, and teachers.
2. Technical Specialists: Such as hardware Engineers, Software Engineers, Information System Managers, Telecommunication Specialists, Network Administrators, Technicians, Programmers.
3. Office Staff: Such as Executives, Executive Assistants, and Administrators.
4. Designers: Computer Aided Designers, Fashion Designers, Advertising Specialist, Photographer, Architics, and desktop publishers. Video producers.

Courses:

HTTC offers a wide range of training courses were emphasis is given to advanced courses in computer related skills according to the needs of the local market. During the year 1998 the center provided courses in:

Professionals technical courses

• Programming
• Database design and manipulation
• Operating Systems
• Computer Aided Design
• Desk Top Publishing
• Networking
• Graphic Design
• HardWare: installation and maintenance of personal computer hardware components
  installation and management of telecommunication & network equipment

Data Analysis

Executives Computer Courses (aims to enhance directors skills in the use of computer and software programs like: MS-Office, email, etc)

• Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) main function is to provide truthful and impartial official statistics on demographic, social, economic and environmental stats and trends to serve the Palestinian citizenry, and to serve the instrumental needs of businesses and their organizations for statistical information on stats and trends.

PCBS Directorates

• Population and Social Statistics Directorate (PSSD)
• Economic Statistics Directorate (ESD)
• Area Statistics Directorate (ASD)
• Information Systems and Computer Directorate (ISD)
• Field Work Directorate (FWD)
• Administrative and Financial Affairs Directorate (AFD)
• Population and Housing Census Directorate (PHCD)
• Palestinian Statistical Training Center Directorate (PSTC)

Information Systems and Computer Directorate (ISD)

The purpose of ISD is to perform the data processing (programming, data entry, editing and tabulation) and to build information systems within PCBS. For that reason a sophisticated network was installed including the most recent hardware and software, along with an advanced security system. The ISD consists of the following departments:

Systems Development (SYSD)

SYSD was established early on at PCBS to handle all computer related issues.

The department consists of two sections as follows:

Programming and Analysis Section:
responsible for designing, and maintaining of all computerized systems and programs.

Data Base Section:
responsible for building and administrating of all data bases.

The department has a development plan that includes:

• Building a master socio-economic data base for Palestine
• Initiating and contributing to the National Information System on Palestine
• Initiating and implementing a data protection legislation

Technical Support and Operation (TESD)

The technical support division was the first department established in the information systems directorate to build an advanced network to serve all PCBS staff and it consists of three sections:

• Network administration
• Software packages
• Hardware maintenance

The department has a development plan which includes:

• Upgrading current hardware & software to satisfy user requirements
• Improving technical services
• Building up a wide area network

Electronic Data Preparation (EDPD)

Since the establishment of Palestinian Central Bureau Of Statistics in 1993, The Electronic Data Preparation Department has been one of the vital departments in the information systems directorate; this department is responsible for all activities regarding data entry and editing.The department consists of two sections:

• Electronic Data Preparation Section, responsible for entering the data of all PCBS surveys and projects.
• Editing Section, responsible for editing and cleaning data.

Data Dissemination and Documentation (DISD)

The Data Dissemination Department is a new department in the Information Systems and Computer Directorate. It was founded to disseminate PCBS data via different methods such as: Internet, CD's, diskettes ...etc. The department consists of four sections:

• User Services
• Internet
• Archiving and Documentation
• Library

The department’s development plan includes:

• Preparing the material and tables (of projects and surveys) for Internet dissemination
• Updating all the contents of the home page
• Developing & implementing data a dissemination policy
• Documenting and saving all projects and surveys
• Meeting user needs as well as improving our services

The Transportation and Communication Statistics Program

PCBS’ Transportation and Communication Statistics Program is expected to fulfil the responsibilities of:

• Compilation of statistics on activities related to the physical features of transportation and communication, as defined by international standards and classifications, and to provide an overview of the transportation and communication sector in Palestine.
• Activate the dialogue between the data providers and users
• Meet the needs of local and international transport and communication statistics users by presenting the data in user friendly manner

Now, the Transportation and Communication Statistics Program is publishing the current status report on transportation and communication statistics.

The Transportation and Communication Statistics Department finalized a brief proposal for the work plan for the period 1998-2000; the main projects to be carried out are:

• A general quarterly report on transportation and communication statistics
• A yearly traffic volume survey (traffic counts) covering traffic movement.
• A survey of trucks, reflecting goods movement in Palestine. The statistical unit in this survey will be on the level of trucks.
• A survey of communication. This survey is to be carried out with the cooperation of the Palestinian Telecommunications Company

Palestinian Institutions Capacities in Land Use and GIS

This project is one of the most important covered by of the round table discussions held in PCBS on discuss land use issues. Different participants from the Palestinian institutions together with experts on land use attended this discussion. The Land Use Program working plan was based on this survey.

A questionnaire will be distributed on the Palestinian institutions and will be followed up by field visits and by phone to make sure it is filled correctly. All involved parties will participate in a workshop after analyzing the results to present findings and discuss recommendations.

The main goals of this project are:

• Computing the existing data on land use available in the Palestinian institutions.
• Identifying land use and other related projects that have been finished, on going or will be executed in the future.
• Identifying land use terms and concepts used in the different institutions such as land use classification system. This will be a first step in unifying these terms and concepts in all institutions.
• Identifying Palestinian institution capabilities in GIS, equipment and in the quality and quantity of the staff working in land use.
• Identifying the Palestinian institutions needs and problems in order to create cooperation between them to fulfill each other needs in the most convenient way.
• Identifying the available geographic tools (maps, air photos, satellite images … etc) in the Palestinian institution to use them in building a land use database for Palestine.

Local Community Survey (LCS), preparatory stage

The preparatory stage includes drafting a LCS’s questionnaire and holding a series of workshops (two and four days workshops) with the participation of local data users and representatives of Local Governing Bodies. This proposed survey has to do primarily with developing administrative records of the municipalities and village councils and will deliver data and information covering a wide spectrum of subjects. The final out put of this project is a revised version of the questionnaire, acceptable to data providers on the local community level.

II- On-going developments

The Palestine Telecommunications Company (PALTEL)

On May 1995, the Palestine National Authority and a group of private investors agreed to establish The Palestine Telecommunications Company (PALTEL), the public telecommunications operator in Palestine. PALTEL is a joint stock company - registered in Jericho- with an initial capital of 45 million Jordanian dinars (about $50 million) of which PADICO’s share is 22%.. Three-quarters of the company’s shares are owned by 66 institutional investors, including PADICO, while the remainder is owned by the public. PALTEL has therefore become the first privately controlled public telecommunications operator in the Middle East-North Africa region. PALTEL is regulated by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications through a licensing agreement.

Objectives include implementing the general development plan of the telecommunications sector, including expansion of the communications network by adding 600,000 new lines and upgrading the existing network. The required investment is estimated at US$550-600 million over 10 years.