EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso
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EBRD President’s first visit to the West Bank and Gaza -
President Renaud-Basso will meet authorities, donors and the business community -
Since 2017 the West Bank and Gaza has received US$ 89.2 million of EBRD financing in 20 transactions
The President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso, is visiting the West Bank and Gaza from 29 to 30 March 2023. This will be her first visit since taking up her post.
While she is there she will meet Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, Minister of the National Economy and EBRD Governor Khaled Osaily, and the Governor of the Palestinian Monetary Authority, Feras Melhem.
Meetings will also be held with partners from the business community and donors, including the European Union (EU), Spain, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Ahead of the visit, President Renaud-Basso said: “I am very pleased to visit the West Bank and Gaza and I look forward to meeting the Palestinian authorities and our partners in the private sector to explore potential opportunities for financing and policy engagement. We are committed to supporting the development of the private sector in the West Bank and Gaza, contributing to its economic growth.”
The Bank has financed 20 projects there for a total of US$ 89.2 million since 2017 and provided support through its advisory programme funded by the EU to 100 micro and small businesses, including those led by women.
In 2022 the EBRD Board of Directors agreed to extend the Bank’s work in the West Bank and Gaza to 2027, investing in the private sector via a trust fund structure.
The President will be joined by Heike Harmgart, Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region, and Philip ter Woort, Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
