JERUSALEM, March 11 2010 (WAFA)- World Bank Managing Director Juan José Daboub completed a two-day official visit to the West Bank.

During the visit, Dr. Daboub held meetings with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Quartet Envoy Tony Blair, the Governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) Jihad Al-Wazir, the CEO of the Palestinian Investment Fund (PIF) Mohammad Mustafa, as well as representatives from the private sector and civil society.  

At the conclusion of his visit Dr. Daboub stated: 'The World Bank is committed to work closely with the Palestinians in their effort to build a viable independent state. Over the past two years, the Bank has been busy addressing the food, energy and financial crises, but has not forgotten the enormous challenges the Palestinians face on a daily basis. We have been operating in the West Bank and Gaza for the past 15 years and will continue to walk with the Palestinian people on their path to prosperity.”

Earlier, after meeting with PM Fayyad, he said: 'After years of decline, we are now seeing signs of Palestinian economic recovery. If growth is to continue, the restrictions still facing Palestinian businesses and foreign investors must be eased and donors need to continue their support.  Palestinians have demonstrated remarkable resilience under difficult conditions; imagine their potential under a different security environment in the region, in which there are no barriers to trade or obstacles to movement.'

Dr. Daboub was accompanied by Mariam Sherman, the new World Bank Country Director for the West Bank and Gaza, who added: “The World Bank is committed to helping the people of Gaza and the West Bank to rebuild and develop their economy. Recovery and reconstruction, as well as the easing of access, will enable long term economic development for the Palestinian people. We will continue our engagement with the PA and the donor community in this effort.”