The workshop aimed to promote academic and professional dialogue on the digital legislative environment and to support efforts toward digital transformation in Palestine.

Participants included Mr. Abd Al-Salam Shbeitah, Director of the Office of the Deputy Minister of National Economy, and Mr. Rashad Yousef, Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry, who provided analytical and critical insights into the newly enacted law.

The session was opened by Dr. Ra’fat Al-Jallad from the Faculty of Business and Communication, who welcomed the guests and commended the institutional cooperation between the Ministry and the University. He emphasized the Ministry’s role in supporting and developing a legislative framework aligned with digital transformation and highlighted the importance of leveraging modern legislation to empower entrepreneurs and startups while fostering a competitive, innovation-driven business environment.

Mr. Rashad Yousef reviewed the context behind the issuance of the law, clarifying that its main goal is to regulate the e-commerce sector and protect consumers, rather than impose taxation, as some may assume. He noted that the forthcoming executive regulations will include incentives and special exemptions for small and startup businesses, particularly those established by marginalized groups. He also explained that the law specifically targets official Palestinian e-commerce stores with the (.ps) domain, excluding informal sales activities conducted through social media platforms.

The workshop witnessed strong interaction from students, who raised several questions and observations based on their practical experiences in e-commerce and digital marketing. They stressed the importance of creating an enabling regulatory environment that includes reduced fees and tax exemptions for small online businesses to ensure consumer protection and support young entrepreneurs.

At the conclusion of the workshop, Mr. Bakr Ishtayeh, Head of the Department of Digital Economy and E-Commerce, expressed his appreciation to the Ministry’s delegation for their valuable participation. He emphasized the importance of continuing such engagements to enhance students’ legal and digital awareness and to strengthen partnerships between academic institutions and policymakers in service of Palestine’s economic future.