RAMALLAH, Tuesday, October 05, 2021 – President Mahmoud Abbas today received World Bank Group President David Malpass at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.

President Abbas thanked Malpass for the World Bank’s efforts in supporting development, infrastructure projects, and institutional capacity-building in Palestine. He reaffirmed the Palestinian leadership’s commitment to strengthening state institutions in line with the principles of the rule of law, transparency and good governance. He noted that several decree laws had recently been enacted including the Companies Law and the Telecommunications Sector Regulation Law aimed at promoting investment and advancing economic development.

He underscored his determination to provide ongoing support for initiatives that reinforce Palestinian development and the process of institution building.

President Abbas also briefed Malpass and the accompanying delegation on the key obstacles facing the Palestinian economy, particularly the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation and the decline in foreign aid. He reiterated the State of Palestine’s commitment to political engagement and adherence to United Nations resolutions as the path to ending the occupation and realizing the Palestinian people’s aspiration for freedom and independence.

For his part, Malpass affirmed the World Bank’s continued commitment to supporting development, infrastructure, and institutional strengthening in Palestine. He expressed appreciation for the recent legislative reforms undertaken by the Palestinian government, noting that these measures would positively influence economic growth and encourage investment across multiple sectors.

Malpass added that he would continue his meetings with Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and relevant Palestinian authorities to follow up on ongoing projects and assess progress on the ground.