Quartet Representative Blair’s package proposal for West Bank and Gaza – World Bank statement – Press release

---

 

Press Release

World Bank statement on Quartet Representative Blair’s proposals

Jerusalem, May 13, 2008 — In its reports to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), the World Bank summarized the changing course of the Palestinian economy since 2000, from one driven by investment and private sector productivity to one sustained by government spending and donor aid. The Bank’s analysis showed that reversing this downward trend required parallel actions by the Palestinian Authority (PA), Israel and the donors. In addition, these parallel actions were regarded as effective insofar as they addressed the entirety of the Palestinian population, including Gaza. In particular, the Bank emphasized that the contributing effects of the closures and movement restrictions, and the lack of progress in their removal, could not be overestimated.

Commenting on the set of proposals announced this morning by the Quartet Special Representative, HE Tony Blair, David Craig, World Bank Country Director for the West Bank and Gaza said “Under these conditions, any substantial steps promoting the freedom of movement required for the resumption of economic growth, especially through trade and the invigoration of the private sector, are important. These proposals are a very good step in the right direction and represent a welcome change in approach. In themselves, they will contribute to the building of confidence. If scaled up, they have the potential to start a virtuous cycle of growth in the West Bank.”

###