WASHINGTON – From March 1-3, 2023, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott Nathan traveled to Israel and the West Bank to further private sector-led development in the Palestinian territories and in countries around the world in partnership with Israeli companies.
While in Israel, CEO Nathan met with Israeli Deputy Director General of Economics Yael Ravia-Zadok, who hosted a roundtable conversation with Israeli businesses at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the work DFC does and areas for collaboration in markets where DFC operates, especially in the Middle East and Africa. CEO Nathan also met individually with several current and prospective DFC partners, including in the energy and water sectors.
In the West Bank, CEO Nathan met with Palestinian Minister of National Economy Khaled Osaily and officials from the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. He also attended a roundtable with the U.S.-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce to discuss DFC’s investment tools and opportunities to work together. CEO Nathan met individually with a wide range of Palestinian businesses engaged in energy and small business support, among other key sectors, including the Bank of Palestine.
Throughout his trip, CEO Nathan underscored how mobilizing private sector investment toward economic and development goals can help communities become more stable and prosperous. DFC is committed to utilizing its investment tools to increase economic cooperation and to contribute to greater integration of the Palestinian economy into the broader regional economic ecosystem. As part of this commitment, DFC is looking to increase its investment support for small- and medium-sized enterprises owned by Palestinians working across sectors from early stage technology companies to industrial and agricultural firms.
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U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. DFC also provides financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs in order to create jobs in emerging markets. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.