Finance Minister Discusses Accelerating Recovery and Reconstruction Projects with World Bank Delegation

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber received a World Bank delegation, including the Director of the World Bank Office in Beirut Enrique Armus and the World Bank Infrastructure Section Manager Catherine Sin, in the presence of Director General of Finance George Maawad, Prime Minister's Advisor Satef Arnaout, and Finance Minister's Advisors Claudine Korki and Zeina Qasim.

According to the Ministry's media office, the meeting reviewed progress made in implementing recovery and reconstruction projects funded by the World Bank and the challenges they face, particularly regarding administrative procedures, tendering, and the executive capacities of relevant entities.

The World Bank delegation noted that contracts worth approximately $65 million are currently under tendering procedures, emphasizing the importance of accelerating the completion of priority contracts and moving to actual implementation, which would allow for tangible results on the ground, especially in areas such as road rehabilitation, damaged infrastructure, schools, and securing ambulances.

The discussion addressed the challenges facing the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), the need to enhance its technical and human capabilities, particularly in procurement and tendering, simplifying procedures and speeding up decision-making, alongside addressing difficulties related to security conditions and access to some affected areas.

The attendees also discussed the importance of strengthening institutional readiness to absorb anticipated additional funding, including French financing worth €70 million, and ensuring that available resources are directed toward the most urgent projects, including affected areas and host communities for displaced persons.

The meeting touched upon preparations for the upcoming visit by senior World Bank officials on November 17 and 18, highlighting the importance of demonstrating progress in project implementation and allowing for field visits to ongoing works and the needs of affected areas.

Minister Jaber emphasized "the importance of intensifying coordination between the World Bank, the Council for Development and Reconstruction, and concerned ministries, and working to overcome administrative and technical obstacles and accelerate the pace of implementation," stressing that "priority remains translating international funding and support into actual projects and achievements that positively impact citizens' lives and contribute to supporting the path of recovery and reconstruction in Lebanon."