Beirut:Finance Minister Yassine Jaber hosted a meeting with a World Bank delegation, which included Lebanon Country Manager Enrique Blanco Armas and Infrastructure Practice Manager Catherine Senn. The gathering also saw the participation of Finance Director General Georges Maarrawi, Prime Minister's Adviser Sateh Arnaout, and ministerial advisers Claudine Karki and Zeina Kassem.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the discussions were centered on the progress of World Bank-funded recovery and reconstruction projects. They addressed challenges related to administrative procedures, procurement, and the institutions' capacity to implement these projects.
The World Bank delegation highlighted that approximately $65 million in contracts were currently undergoing procurement procedures. They emphasized the urgency of expediting these priority contracts to achieve tangible outcomes, particularly in the rehabilitation of damaged roads, infrastructure, schools, and the procurement of ambulances.
The meeting also tackled the challenges faced by the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), notably the need to enhance its technical and human resources in procurement and contracting. Streamlining procedures and accelerating decision-making were identified as critical areas for improvement.
Additionally, the discussions covered security-related obstacles and the difficulties in accessing certain affected areas. The importance of strengthening institutional readiness to manage additional expected financing, including 70 million pounds from French funding, was also noted. Ensuring that resources are directed towards the most urgent projects in affected areas and communities hosting displaced people was emphasized.
Preparations for a scheduled visit by senior World Bank officials on November 17 and 18 were reviewed, with an emphasis on showcasing implementation progress and facilitating field visits to ongoing projects and affected communities.
Minister Jaber stressed the necessity for closer coordination among the World Bank, CDR, and relevant ministries to overcome administrative and technical hurdles and accelerate project implementation. He reiterated that the primary goal remains translating international financing into concrete projects that improve citizens' lives and support Lebanon's recovery and reconstruction efforts.