European development bank to invest in West Bank, Gaza

Israel, which is also an EBRD shareholder, is said to have supported the move.

By REUTERS
Updated: MAY 10, 2017 17:10
A view of the northern Gaza Strip as seen from the Israeli farming community of Netiv Haasara (photo credit: REUTERS)
A view of the northern Gaza Strip as seen from the Israeli farming community of Netiv Haasara
(photo credit: REUTERS)
NICOSIA - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is to start investing in the West Bank and Gaza, it said on Wednesday.
The development bank's shareholder governments approved the move which will initially last for five year and be financed with donations pooled from individual countries.
It is expected to concentrate on energy infrastructure, renewable energy and supporting private businesses.
"The EBRD can make an important contribution to the economy alongside other international financial institutions," the EBRD's President Suma Chakrabarti at the bank's annual meeting.
Chakrabarti said Israel, which is also an EBRD shareholder, had supported the move.
Speaking to Reuters, Azzam Shawwa, governor of the soon-to-be-formalized Palestinian central bank, said the EBRD's financing model and policy advice would be the main benefit.
"The whole concept took long enough but it's good that we made it and that the EBRD and others are moving into Palestine," Shawwa said.
"It is going to be something that is really supportive to the economy."