SCENES COMMERCIAL LIFE - FACTORIES, TRANSPORTATION, ETC.




Initials DHC/V/RM/SC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN EASED ON THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK OF THE JORDAN, WITH THE RESULT THAT BUSINESSMEN IN THE AREA CAN NOW TRAVEL TO AMMAN AND FURTHER POINTS IN THEIR SEARCH FOR COMMERCE. ONLY EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE SHORT BUT VICIOUS WAR, THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN SOME PARTS OF THE WEST BANK IS NOW RETURNING TO NORMAL. FACTORIES ARE BACK INTO PRODUCTION, MANY AT THE PRE-WAR LEVELS.

FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE WEST BANK, THE EASING OF RESTRICTIONS HERALDS A HEALTHY BREAKTHROUGH IN THEIR AFFAIRS. THE FACTORY OF THE JERUSALEM CIGARETTE COMPANY - SHOWN IN THIS FILM - PRODUCES 18 TONS OF CIGARETTES EACH MONTH, IN SIX DIFFERENT BRANDS. ALTHOUGH THE WAR WAS A DISTINCT SETBACK, DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY HOPE OF ACHIEVE MAXIMUM 30-TONS-PER-MONTH PRODUCTION WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD. THE FACTORY EMPLOYS 140 MEN AND WOMEN, AND SUPPLIES IN THE WEST BANK, THE GAZA STRIP AND ISRAEL.

OTHER FACTORIES TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF MORE LIBERALISED TRADING ARRANGEMENTS ARE THE ZAKHARIA BROTHERS OLIVE WOOD COMPANY IN BETHLEHEM AND THE SILVANA SWEETS AND BISCUITS FACTORY AT RAMALLA. BOTH COMPANIES HAVE OPTIMISTIC PLANS, AND BOTH EXPECT TO EARN A GOOD DEAL OF FUTURE INCOME FROM EXPORTING.

THE RABAH FURNITURE COMPANY IN RABALLAH STILL HAS SOME WAY TO GO UNTIL IT CAN GENUINELY CLAIM TO BE BACK TO ITS PRE-WAR STANDARD. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE EMPLOYING ONLY 50 PER CENT OF THEIR PRE-WAR STAFF, THY ARE SLOWLY FINDING NEW OUTLETS IN ISRAEL, HAVING TURNED AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL MARKETING SOURCES.

BUT EVERYWHERE IN THE WEST BANK COMMERCIAL LIFE IS RE-STIRRING. TRUCKS ROLL EAST OVER THE RIVER JORDAN TO AMMAN, OR WEST INTO ISRAEL AND THE MEDITERRANEAN PORTS, FOR EXPORT OVERSEAS.