Finance Minister Yassin Jaber and the official Lebanese delegation accompanying him concluded their meetings in Washington, DC, in the context of the spring meetings held by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. These meetings included a series of meetings with senior officials of the Fund and the Bank, in addition to other donors from friendly countries.
The discussions focused mainly on reviewing possible ways to support Lebanon financially and economically at this current stage, in addition to following up on reform and recovery priorities.
Jaber stated, “The discussion in those meetings focused on the economic and financial developments in Lebanon, and the importance of continuing the constructive dialogue between Lebanon, the Fund, and the Bank, in addition to discussing the priorities for the next stage and the reforms required to enhance stability and restore confidence.”
He described the meetings as positive and fruitful, as it stressed “the commitment of the World Bank and all parties that the delegation met to continue supporting Lebanon at this critical stage, not only through existing projects, but also by keeping pace with the priorities of the Lebanese state in the path of recovery and reconstruction.”
He stressed “the importance of giving priority to the current portfolio of projects funded by the World Bank, whose value exceeds 1.3 billion US dollars, and working to direct them in line with emerging needs, especially those related to the rehabilitation of infrastructure and basic services and enhancing social resilience, while stressing the need to provide additional financing in the form of grants to support affected Lebanese communities, and to give special priority to the housing sector, given the urgent need it represents in the post-war period, in addition to its essential role in supporting social stability.” And the economic one.”
He reiterated that “Lebanon is looking forward to a renewed partnership with the World Bank, based on flexibility and speed of response, and taking into account the magnitude of the economic, humanitarian and development challenges that Lebanon is currently facing, as the goal mainly focuses on mobilizing support for Lebanon to respond to the urgent needs to enhance economic and social stability, and continue the recovery process.”
