Kitchenware from Guangzhou to Gaza, underground

GAZA CITY (IRIN) - The main kitchenware supplier in Gaza, al-Dahshan Company, last received a shipment from Israel over two years ago through the Karni crossing.

Karni, the only commercial crossing with the facilities to allow large numbers of trucks to enter Gaza, has been closed since June 2007 except for the conveyor belt that operates for grain deliveries.

"I only have 20 percent of my goods in stock, there are no plates, glasses or mugs," said owner Jalal al-Dahshan from his distribution centre in Saha, Gaza City's main commercial district. "Two years ago six teacups cost $1. Today they cost $5." Al-Dahshan supplies about 100 shops in Gaza.

Jalal's father, Nahed, runs their sister company, MN International al-Dahshan, from the Guangzhou, China. "There are about 35 Gazan companies with offices in China," according to an MN International al-Dahshan representative in Guangzhou, who spoke to IRIN on the phone on condition of anonymity.

Goods from Guangzhou take a circuitous route before reaching Gaza, according to the representative: Shipped first to Port Said, a duty-free port in northeastern Egypt, they are then taken to the Egyptian side of Rafah, via al-Arish, before being smuggled into Gaza by tunnel.

"Each small box costs $30 to enter Gaza via tunnel and there are about 4,000 boxes per container," said the representative. He reckoned about 400 Chinese companies exported goods to Gaza, including IT products, furniture and clothing. free trade zone in

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