The World Bank is not currently considering suspending its projects in Gaza, and it is monitoring the development of the situation, which it hopes will end soon.
The World Bank's VP for the MENA region, Ferid Belhaj, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the size of the World Bank's projects with the Palestinian Authority (PA) is in the range of $80 million annually, divided among many projects such as sanitation, water, and others.
Belhaj asserted that the World Bank continues to work positively with the Authority while monitoring the developments.
"To date, we have no intention of suspending projects and funding in Palestine."
The World Bank finances Palestinian projects in water, energy, urban and local development, social protection, education, health, solid waste management, and digital, financial, and private sector development.
Asharq Al-Awsat asked the official about Tunisia and its program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Belhaj said the door is open to any member state seeking IMF loan agreements.
In September 2022, Tunisia reached a preliminary agreement with the IMF to obtain a loan worth $1.9 billion.
However, talks regarding its implementation reached a dead end for several reasons, notably the government's refusal to restructure 100 public companies burdened with debt and to lift subsidies.
Belhaj indicated that there has been a recent change in positions that may lead to a convergence of views and reaching an agreement.
On Thursday, the Fund's Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, Jihad Azour, said that Tunisian authorities did not propose any alternative to the program.
He said that by reforming the subsidy, Tunisia could allow more resources to finance inclusion and increase social spending.
