Japan makes contribution to support the PA’s budget through the World Bank’s trust fund – Representative Office of Japan to the PA press release/Non-UN document

PRESS RELEASE

February 13, 2014

Japan’s New Financial Assistance to the PA
Through the World Bank’s Trust Fund

1. The Government of Japan has decided to extend a contribution of USD 30 million to the Palestinian Recovery and Development Plan Multi-Donor Trust Fund (PRDP-MDTF) to support the Palestinian Authority (PA) direct budget. This contribution is part of the recent additional support from the Japanese Government to the Palestinians amounting to $US 62.2 million, which shows Japan’s support for ongoing peace negotiations between the two parties in order to realize a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the future based on a “two-state solution”.

2. This 2nd contribution following last year's 10 million contribution to the PRDP Trust fund was informed to the World Bank and PA officially today at Prime Minister’s office in Ramallah with the participation of H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Rami Hamdallah, Dr. Steen Jorgensen, World Bank Country Director, West Bank and Gaza Country Office and Mr. Junya Matsuura, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to the PA.

3. A USD 30 million contribution to the World Bank PRDP Trust Fund is a part of international supports to alleviate PA financial difficulties. The World Bank PRDP Trust Fund was established on April 10, 2008, through an agreement signed between the World Bank and the Palestinian Authority. The Trust Fund is central in supporting the Palestinian reform and development plan and it supports strengthening the PA’s capacity to sustain a number of significant reforms introduced to date and to bolster further progress.

4. Japan has extended about 182 million USD for PA since 2012, which is a part of USD 1.4 billion contributions since Oslo accords. Japan has been supporting financially and technically the economic development efforts exerted by key ministries, to help prepare the PA for statehood in line with the PA's national development plans. Japan has also provided assistance through UNRWA and other UN agencies including humanitarian assistance, as well as to local NGOs and local councils for their grassroots development projects.

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http://www.ps.emb-japan.go.jp/PressRelease/PressRelease2014/n13February.pdf