Islamic Development Bank extends support to UfM projects

Barcelona, 12 March, 2013. The President of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al Madani held a working session with the Secretary General of the UfM, Fathallah Sijilmassi, on 9 March 2013 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). During the meeting UfM projects supported by the IDB were evoked.

The emphasis was particularly made on the Desalination Facility for the Gaza Strip Project, for which the President of the IDB confirmed the intention of the institution to finance 50% of the total amount (in coordination with Gulf countries).

The total cost of the project that is being implemented by the Palestinian government is 450 Million USD. Its aim is to enable 2 Million people to have access to fresh water, as more than 90% of water in the Gaza Strip is not drinkable.

The IDB also expressed its will to reinforce their partnership with the UfM through the promotion of other priority projects for the countries of the region. The President of the institution insisted on the possibility of promoting projects aiming to create job opportunities for young people in the framework of the Mediterranean Initiative for Jobs (Med4Jobs).

M. Sijilmassi held also a working session with the Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanolu, in which possible synergies and areas of cooperation with the UfM were discussed.