RELATED:Palestinian VC fund bets on West Bank tech potentialOn my mind: Palestinian obstacles to statehood"(It) is now able to conduct the sound economic policies expected of a future well-functioning Palestinian state," said the IMF staff report released this week.Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad embarked on a two-year plan in 2009 to construct the full institutional framework of a state by mid-2011, and the IMF endorsement is likely to encourage the PA in their UN drive.The report said reforms in public-sector finance management had enabled the PA to control spending tightly, apply rigorous budget preparation and establish fiscal transparency and accountability in line with international standards.This, along with a "prudent fiscal policy", had contributed to a reduction in donor aid to $1.2 billion in 2010 from $1.8 billion in 2008, with a view to a further cut to below $1 billion this year, the report said.The Palestinian economy grew 9.3 percent in 2010. To sustain this growth, the IMF urged Israel to ease limits on economic activity, mainly restrictions on trade between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Islamist group Hamas.The IMF report also urged Israel to ease the movement of Palestinians at Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank and to give the Palestinian private sector access to about 60 percent of West Bank land that is still occupied and controlled by Israel.Israel says it has facilitated Palestinian economic growth in recent years by lifting hundreds of West Bank restrictions.
IMF gives thumbs up to PA financial policy
Report says PA is capable of running a national economy, urges Israel to ease checkpoints and restrictions on trade.
RELATED:Palestinian VC fund bets on West Bank tech potentialOn my mind: Palestinian obstacles to statehood"(It) is now able to conduct the sound economic policies expected of a future well-functioning Palestinian state," said the IMF staff report released this week.Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad embarked on a two-year plan in 2009 to construct the full institutional framework of a state by mid-2011, and the IMF endorsement is likely to encourage the PA in their UN drive.The report said reforms in public-sector finance management had enabled the PA to control spending tightly, apply rigorous budget preparation and establish fiscal transparency and accountability in line with international standards.This, along with a "prudent fiscal policy", had contributed to a reduction in donor aid to $1.2 billion in 2010 from $1.8 billion in 2008, with a view to a further cut to below $1 billion this year, the report said.The Palestinian economy grew 9.3 percent in 2010. To sustain this growth, the IMF urged Israel to ease limits on economic activity, mainly restrictions on trade between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Islamist group Hamas.The IMF report also urged Israel to ease the movement of Palestinians at Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank and to give the Palestinian private sector access to about 60 percent of West Bank land that is still occupied and controlled by Israel.Israel says it has facilitated Palestinian economic growth in recent years by lifting hundreds of West Bank restrictions.