Established in 2018, BIS consultants are leaders in developing comprehensive growth and marketing strategies, seizing market opportunities, mobilizing private capital, creating business-enabling environments, and building institutional capacity. Our experts have a deep understanding of the needs of the Palestinian private sector, particularly in areas such as export policy development and integrated export strategies.
Since its inception, BIS has operated within the Palestinian context with a keen awareness and sensitivity to the local realities, guided by a vision for national development and growth.
Our team has forged strategic partnerships with highly experienced consultants to fulfill our mission and deliver exceptional services. These consultants have a nuanced understanding of the unique needs of the Palestinian private sector, supported by an extensive network of stakeholders that includes government entities, private sector leaders, associations, international development representatives, and the Palestinian diaspora.
BIS leverages partnerships with numerous local and international companies, boasting a vast network of consultants who operate at local, regional, andinternational levels. Our experts take on key leadership roles as Strategic Advisors and Consortium Partners, ensuring that we provide comprehensive, innovative, and impactful solutions. Notable projects include the Trade Facilitation & Customs Support in the OPTs (Tasdeer project), and the EU for Business: Trade, Investment, and Standards project, where our experts assume a pivotal role.
Hanan Taha/ Rayyan
Managing Partner
Hanan Taha/Rayyan is a prominent professional with over 25 years of experience in areas related toexport growth & development, trade facilitation, economic policy development, and value chainanalysis. Her work spans across multiple countries, including Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Thailand, UAE, Kuwait, Malaysia, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Egypt, and the Netherlands, providing her with a diverse and global perspective.
Boasting formidable performance in high-paced professional environments, Rayyan holds excellent political connections and exceptional achievements as aninitiator of public-private partnerships, specifically in relation to private sector exporters.
Bolstered by her astute analysis and wide network, Rayyan has a proven track record in leveraging funds and signing on multi-million-dollar projects.
Rayyan serves as a consortium and strategic advisory panel member for the Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (TFCS) financed by TheUK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
In addition, Rayyan serves as a consortium and strategic advisory panel member for the EU for Business: Trade , Investment, and Standards financed by the European Union.
Moreover, Rayyan served as the senior trade expert for the EU in their project “Platform for the Roll-Out of the EU External Investment Plan inPalestine” where she, amongst other tasks, assisted the EU REP office in nurturing a policy dialogue with the Palestinian Authority in the area of trade policies, notably what concerns the trilateral engagement of the EU with the PA and Israel on facilitation of Palestinian trade. In this role, Rayyan also worked closely with the PA representatives in an advisory capacity assisting with their needs.
Rayyan holds key expertise in formulating economic policies as well as negotiating on behalf of the Palestinian private sector in joint committees regionally, and was an active contributor in the formulation of the first-ever National Export Strategy: the sector’s strategy for economic development, prepared with the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy, private sector institutions, and the Prime Minister’s office, as part of thePalestinian National Agenda 2017- 2022.
Prior to co- establishing BIS, Rayyan assumed the role of CEO at the Palestine Trade Center as well as led the EU Consultation sessions with thePalestinian Private Sector preparing for developing their Joint Strategy for Palestine.
Rayyan has served as head of delegation on multiple scoping missions across the Middle East, Europe & Asia, in B2B and B2G meetings and incoordination with key government officials and private sector representatives with the goal of promoting and establishing opportunities for the Palestinian private sector as well as create a positive image of Palestinian business.
Furthermore, she was lead person for the implementation of Third National Dialogue Conference between private and public sector which aimed to strengthen the partnership and dialogue between the private and public sectors to create an enabling business environment.
Shawqi Makhtoub
Managing Partner
Mr. Makhtoob is a highly experienced strategist and specialist in business development, marketing, and e-commerce, with key expertise in trade and export development, business model development, strategy formulation, public-private dialogue (PPD), developing trade support institutions, and trade facilitation. His work spans across multiple countries, including Jordan, Iraq, Vietnam, UAE, Finland, Sweden, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Germany, providing him with a diverse and global perspective.
Some of Mr. Makhtoob's recent achievements include the development of the Jordan E-commerce Strategy, the Jordan eTrade Readiness Assessment, and the Iraq eTrade Readiness Assessment. Additionally, he has been instrumental in shaping the UNRWA Microfinance Department Strategy across Palestine, Jordan, and Syria. Additionally, he has spearheaded the development of numerous business models across diverse sectors, including manufacturing, services, art, media and entertainment, as well as vocational training.
In addition, Makhtoob serves as a consortium and strategic advisory panel member for the Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (TFCS) financed by The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the EU funded project: EU For Business: Trade, Investment and Standards project. He has accordingly provided guidance and oversight in the development of numerous business models within the trade and export sectors.
He has developed considerable experience in designing, developing, and managing entrepreneurial initiatives focused on trade, export development, the green economy, and trade facilitation. Notable accomplishments include managing and providing technical advice for the formulation of Palestine's first National Export Strategy, branding strategy for Palestinian exports, and the project "Creating an Enabling Environment for Green Exports in Palestine." His work also includes managing the first Trade in Services Capacity Building Program and developing the first Non-Tariff Measures (NTM) Report for Palestine.
Mr. Makhtoob has been instrumental in advancing Palestine’s trade and economic policy through his leadership in strategic planning and institutional development. He facilitated the formulation and implementation of the first Public–Private Joint Agenda, providing a structured platform for collaboration. He also played a central role in shaping the National Economic Public–Private Dialogue, ensuring inclusive engagement between government and the private sector. In parallel, he supported the creation of the Palestinian Export Council, strengthening national export promotion and coordination. His contributions extend to trade policy, market access, and assessment of regional and international trade agreements, reinforcing Palestine’s integration in global markets.