CAIRO: In a move that could open new horizons for the Gaza Strip s economy, Egyptian and Palestinian authorities are looking into operating the Rafah border as a main gateway of Palestinian exports to European markets. Both countries' ministries of transport are to sign a protocol of cooperation that seeks optimum use of the Rafah crossing as a trade gateway by eliminating any impediments - whether political or economic - and by mapping out necessary procedures that will lead to actual implementation of the deal. The border deal will also include setting up a vehicle fleet to move all goods and commodities in and out of Gaza. Egypt's National Authority for Tunnels and Bridges is currently counting the number of travelers crossing daily through the Rafah border, as a first step towards inviting private transportation companies to establish a land fleet service to and from the border. Israel held the border station for nearly 40 years till it ceded control to Palestinian forces after its unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. Israeli forces continue, however, to keep a video watch on crossing activities and can raise objections but cannot veto passage. Imports from Egypt in particular, must go via an Israeli checkpoint, as Israel has cited concerns the border could be used to smuggle weapons and militants from Egypt. The Rafah border is Gaza s main gateway to the outside world, as the city does not have a seaport and Israel has not agreed to allow its international airport to re-open. That is why Egypt's Minister of Transport Minister Mohamed Mansour recently announced that the ministry would participate in the construction of Gaza's seaport. "The ministry plans to send Egyptian seaport specialists to Gaza to inspect and assess the seaport, Mansour said in a press release. He added that the Palestinian Authority would jointly construct its seaport with Egyptian and Emirati companies. The ministry also vowed to train several Palestinians in the fields of land and maritime transport.
