RAMALLAH, September 29, 2025 (WAFA) – Under the patronage and in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, two major development projects were officially launched: The Social Recovery and Job Creation Project in the West Bank and Gaza, and the Second Phase of the Real Estate Registration Project, with a total funding value of $72 million.
The launching event took place on Monday at the Prime Minister's Office in Ramallah, in the presence of World Bank Country Director for Palestine, Stefan Emblad, Canada’s Representative to Palestine, Graham Dattels, along with several ministers and representatives from partner institutions.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Mustafa underscored the significance of these projects, particularly those related to job creation and land settlement and registration projects that safeguard citizens’ property rights and enable their productive investment.
He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to implementing the National Program for Development and Reform, which includes ten key initiatives across sectors such as energy security, localization of health services, sustainability of local government authorities, employment, food and water security, and digital transformation.
Mustafa commended donor contributions, particularly from the World Bank, Canada, and the United Kingdom, including for supporting today’s launches, affirming the Government’s determination to work closely with all international partners to improve the quality of services delivered to the Palestinian people despite the grave challenges and difficult conditions we are facing in both Gaza and the West Bank.
He also highlighted the broader political, economic, and legal positive impacts of completing the land settlement process, praising the efforts of the Land Authority and its teams in accelerating land settlement operations and modernizing digital systems.
The Prime Minister lauded the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation's efforts for strengthening international partnerships, and acknowledged the roles of the Ministries of Labour and Local Government in rolling out the employment program.
Implemented through the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF), the program benefits 371 local authorities and is expected to create over 6,500 job opportunities in labour-intensive, small-sized public infrastructure projects. Other components in the Social Recovery Program include projects aimed at supporting women, as well as another capacity-building program for employees in selected government institutions.
World Bank Country Director Stefan Emblad for his part said that the Real Estate Registration Project is of critical importance; pointing out that it aims to complete the registration of the remaining 25% of land titles in areas classified ‘A’ and ‘B’, covering approximately 500,000 dunums.
He extended gratitude to Canada and the UK for their contributions alongside the World Bank to support the Palestinian institutions and people in facing the current hardships and high unemployment rates.
Emblad also extended gratitude to all implementing partners, notably the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, the MDLF, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Ministry of Labour.
Canadian Representative Graham Dattels reiterated Canada’s commitment to supporting Palestine. “As part of our support to the Palestinian Authority, Canada is proud to contribute $40 million to the World Bank’s
Palestinian Recovery and Development Plan Multi-Donor Trust Fund. This support is directed towards recovery, reconstruction, economic revitalization in the West Bank and Gaza, job creation, and improvement of basic infrastructure, alongside technical assistance to Palestinian institutions.”
Dattels praised the Government's National Program for Development and Reform; reiterating Canda's commitment to supporting these efforts, and highlighting its recent announcement of $47 million in new funding to strengthen the Palestinian economy, judiciary sector, governance, and democratic transition in Palestine. This brings Canada's total humanitarian assistance since October 2023 to over $400 million
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