GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian banks soon will be able to compete to collect certain fees and taxes for the Ministry of Transportation's directorates in the West Bank.

The government made that decision Aug. 26 and gave the Ministry of Transportation two weeks to prepare an implementation plan and officially notify banks to begin the tax collection process. The decision is expected to go into effect in the next few weeks, Palestinian government Spokesperson Ibrahim Melhem told Al-Monitor.

Currently, the Bank of Jordan collects the monies through its employees stationed in the ministry's directorates. The change is designed to resuscitate the Palestinian economy, promote partnership between the private and public sectors, and improve government transparency. ​All 14 licensed Palestinian banks and their branches in Palestinian territories, including Gaza, will participate. Each bank will have the opportunity to offer its own conditions and incentives to attract customers.

The government said it hopes the switch will improve services to citizens and facilitate governmental transactions. Eventually, more ministries will be involved, but the Transportation Ministry was chosen to be the first because it is among the ministries that pump the most funds into the government's treasury.