Gaza City played an important role as a port and a trade base
but it lost its importance by the end of the Ottoman period. It is important to mention
here, that, in 1905, Gaza exported amounts of wheat, barley, corn, dates, sesame, leather
and chicken worth US$ 1.5 millions through its port. Different kinds of goods were also
imported through the port. In the same year (1905), the value of the imports reached US$
750,000 and thus Gaza achieved a balance of trade in its favor. It seems that the ports of
Jaffa and Haifa negatively affected Gaza port and this resulted in gradual economic
recession. After the Israeli occupation, Gaza port completely lost its role - it has not
been functioning until present. The residents of Gaza were interested in trade markets, so
they established markets and stores to display their goods. The most important of these is
the Al-Qaisaria Market, which still exists as a witness of history. The market is located
in the Daraj Quarter.
At present,
Gaza's trade depends only on Egypt and Israel. It imports and exports some agricultural
and industrial products. On several occasions, citrus fruits and flowers were exported to
different countries despite the obstacles, which Israel creates to destroy the exporting
process. An international airport was also established in Gaza; it is expected that trade
would flourish after the opening of the airport and after constructing the new seaport.
There are Palestinian and international attempts to construct the port, but the Israeli
delay and rejection face them in order to restrict the exporting and importing to the
Israeli ports.
Economy in Gaza
depends mainly on the fishing industry, a large part of this industry is exported. Some
Gaza residents graze sheep and goats to use their milk, meat, wool and leather; such
materials are also used in some of the local industries. Gaza municipality established a
modern, developed slaughterhouse, which follows the most recent health and work laws and
regulations. It is automatically run by the most developed methods and systems in the
world and is considered one of the most developed slaughterhouses in the Middle East.
Gaza
municipality encourages trade by providing the residents with modern and organized markets
including the Yarmouk Popular Market, which is under construction and considered the first
central market in the city. |
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