The Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) reported that Governor Yahya Shunnar concluded an official visit to Washington, D.C., held alongside the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings, with a series of senior-level engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation with international partners and mobilising support for the Palestinian economy. The delegation, joined by Palestinian Minister of Finance Omar Al-Bitar and representatives from the PMA and the Financial Follow-Up Unit, met counterparts including the International Finance Corporation’s regional Vice President for the Middle East Hala Sheikh Rouhou, the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for International Development Baroness Jennifer Chapman, Alliance for Financial Inclusion Chief Executive Officer Alfred Hannig, and senior International Monetary Fund and World Bank officials including World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa Ousmane Dione and International Monetary Fund Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour. Discussions covered maintaining financial and monetary stability, advancing financial inclusion including via e-banking services, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises through specialised financing programmes, and technical and financial cooperation to support project development; IMF and World Bank officials also expressed appreciation for the PMA’s stability-focused efforts and reaffirmed continued cooperation and support amid severe economic hardships linked in the statement to the ongoing Israeli aggression. In remarks delivered on behalf of the State of Palestine at the Central Bank Governors and Finance Ministers meeting for the Middle East and North Africa region, Shunnar called for a greater IMF role in supporting the Palestinian economy and urged an elevation of Palestine’s representation within the IMF, alongside reiterating commitments to transparency and financial and economic reforms.
Palestine Monetary Authority 2025-04-27
Palestine Monetary Authority governor concludes Washington meetings to mobilise international support and press for a larger IMF role for Palestine
The Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) reported that Governor Yahya Shunnar concluded an official visit to Washington, D.C., during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings. The delegation engaged in discussions to strengthen cooperation and support for the Palestinian economy, focusing on financial stability, inclusion, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Governor Shunnar advocated for increased IMF support and representation for Palestine, emphasizing transparency and economic reforms amid ongoing challenges.