WEST BANK AND GAZA
INFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT
Finance, Private Sector and Infrastructure Group
Middle East & North Africa
December 2004
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Preface |
I |
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Executive Summary |
II |
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I. |
Introduction |
1 |
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Objectives and Scope |
1 |
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The Context |
2 |
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The Palestinian Authority's Response |
3 |
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Bank Strategy |
5 |
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Towards a Strategy for Infrastructure Sector Development |
5 |
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II. |
Cross Cutting Issues |
6 |
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Increasing Access to Key Assets and Resources |
6 |
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Developing Backbone Networks and Supply Sources |
7 |
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Developing Commercially Oriented and Financially Viable Regional Utilities |
7 |
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Adoping a More Sustainable Financing Strategy and Encouraging Private-Sector Participation |
9 |
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Establishing Efficient Regulatory Frameworks |
12 |
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Safeguarding and Protecting the Environment |
13 |
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III. |
The Subsectors |
14 |
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A. |
Water and Wastewater |
14 |
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Introduction |
14 |
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Supply and Demand |
15 |
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Institutional Framework |
17 |
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Donor Investments |
18 |
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Issues |
18 |
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Developing Options and Investment Program |
19 |
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B. |
Electricity |
20 |
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Introduction |
20 |
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Supply and Demand |
20 |
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Institutional Framework |
21 |
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Donor Investments |
22 |
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Issues |
23 |
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Developing Options and Investment Program |
24 |
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C. |
Transport |
25 |
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Introduction |
25 |
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Supply and Demand |
25 |
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Institutional Framework |
28 |
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Donor Investments |
28 |
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Issues |
29 |
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Developing Options and Investment Program |
29 |
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D. |
Communications |
32 |
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Introduction |
32 |
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Supply and Demand |
32 |
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Institutional Framework |
34 |
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Developing Options and Investment Program |
35 |
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IV. |
Towards a Strategy and a Program: The Way Forward |
37 |
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The Scenarios |
37 |
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Budget Estimates |
37 |
/…
PREFACE
This assessment reviews the performance of the Palestinian water and wastewater, electricity, transport, and telecommunications sectors in the West Bank and Gaza over the last decade. It identifies the major issues each sector is facing and proposes short- and medium-term options for their future development. The assessment emphasizes institutional questions, particularly the need to build local capacity and to provide an environment that encourages private-sector participation.
Reliable infrastructure is vital to improving Palestinian quality of life and helping build a platform for private investment. Due in large measure to the conflict of the past four years, infrastructure development in the West Bank and Gaza has faltered badly, and the quality of services now available is far from adequate – despite substantial financial resources from donors. Restrictions on internal movement and on direct international access have seriously constrained commerce and trade, while Palestinian access to water resources remains seriously constrained.
As Israel disengages from Gaza and the northern West Bank, the possibility of Palestinian economic revival beckons. In this context the need for additional infrastructure and more efficient infrastructure services as well as for open international gateways becomes pressing. This assessment is intended to provide a basis for such developments.
Let me add that this work could not have been carried out without the full cooperation and contribution of a number of institutions of the Palestinian Authority, to whom we owe our thanks.
Nigel Roberts
Country Director
/…
Full report:
Download Document Files: https://unispal.un.org/pdfs/WB_InfrastructAssess_200412.pdf
Document Type: Report
Document Sources: World Bank
Subject: Access and movement, Assistance, Economic issues, Environmental issues, Gaza Strip, Living conditions, Social issues, Water
Publication Date: 31/12/2004