World Bank vows continued support to Palestine

World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Inger Andersen has affirmed the global development institution's commitment to continue to support the delivery of economic and social services to the Palestinian people. On her first official visit to West Bank and Gaza, Andersen visited a number of World Bank projects designed to improve the quality of life for all Palestinians and to equip young Palestinians with skills to secure a better future. "The World Bank is very concerned about the deepening fiscal crisis in West Bank and Gaza," Andersen said. "A crucial challenge facing Palestinians is how the private sector can be invigorated to provide the many jobs so urgently needed. But of course we recognize that until fundamental changes are made that enable freer movement of people and greater access to resources, efforts to improve investment will remain frustrated." she added. Meanwhile World Bank Country Director for the West Bank and Gaza, Mariam Sherman said "The Bank program has adopted a mix of complementary approaches supporting line ministries at the central level and local governments and NGOs at the local level where service provision is critical. Our strategy of engagement supports private sector led-growth and focuses on strengthening public institutions to efficiently manage public finances while ensuring services to citizens." Palestinian news agency (Wafa) said Palestine's Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Minister of Finance Nabil Kassis met Andersen and Sherman, and discussed the latest economic developments and future cooperation. (QNA)