Türkiye has the largest share in total annual exports to Palestinian markets when Israel is excluded, a Palestinian official said on Monday.

Rashad Yousef, director of policies and planning at the Ministry of National Economy, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that trade with Türkiye has grown significantly over the last five years regarding exports and imports.

Over the last five years, he said Türkiye has become the second source of goods in Palestinian markets after Israel.

"If we exclude Israel, Türkiye is the largest source of goods and products in the Palestinian market," the Palestinian official said.

He noted that the Palestinian-Turkish trade volume in 2022 exceeded $900 million, representing a 12% increase over 2021 levels.

"Türkiye doesn't only lead in exports to Palestine; Ankara also contributed to increasing the share of Palestinian products in the Turkish market," Yousef explained.

He noted that the main Turkish exports to Palestine are iron, wood, vegetable oil, tobacco, food products and items from plastic industries.

Border crossings

On the issue of border crossings, the Palestinian official said there is no Palestinian control over them, stressing that all imported goods into Palestine must pass through Israel.

"Israel has complete control over the border crossings as Palestinian imports arrive at Haifa or Ashdod (Israeli) seaports, and the goods are then transported to Palestinian territories via trucks," Yousef said.

He said Türkiye is a multi-industry country that Palestine needs, but "Israeli restrictions and economic agreements restrict partnerships in the trade exchange between Palestine and Türkiye."