http://english.wafa.ps/?action=detail&id=12024 *IFC and Bank of Palestine Sign Strategic Investment Partnership*
RAMALLAH, July 29, 2008 (WAFA) - IFC, a member of the World Bank Group announced on Tuesday that it will support the Bank of Palestine's operations in the West Bank and Gaza. IFC will invest $15 million in the bank and will help strengthen the domestic financial sector and facilitate sustainable private sector development in the highly challenging environment. It also will acquire 5 percent of the bank's equity. The investment includes a $3 million trade line for the bank through the IFC Global Trade Finance Program. The Bank of Palestine is a leading local bank, with the largest distribution network in the West Bank and Gaza. Its universal banking strategy helps small and medium enterprises and low-income people obtain products and services in a conflict-affected region where access to finance is limited. The bank's shares have been traded on the Palestinian Securities Exchange since November 2005. Hashim Shawa, General Manager of the Bank of Palestine, said, "We are very excited to engage in a long-term partnership with IFC and believe that its strategic support will strengthen our position in the market.' 'With IFC's support, we can advance our student loan, trade finance, housing mortgage, and SME lending projects. This will enable us to serve more Palestinians and expand our regional presence across and beyond the West Bank and Gaza." For his part, Dr Jihad Al Wazir, Governor of the Palestinian Monetary Authority, said, "We welcome IFC's renewed presence in the financial sector of the West Bank and Gaza. By partnering with the Bank of Palestine, the largest national banking institution, IFC will share its global expertise and knowledge of best practices and corporate governance. We believe that IFC can help foster stability and intermediation of the financial sector, which is important for economic growth. This will also benefit other banks and create a strong demonstration effect for potential financial sector investors." Michael Essex, IFC Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said, "IFC is working to broaden and deepen financial intermediation and help develop the private sector in the West Bank and Gaza by introducing long-term capital and debt financing and by promoting best practices in risk management and corporate governance. Developing our long term relationship with the Bank of Palestine will help us meet these objectives." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
