The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has agreed a €2 million loan with Palestine Investment Bank to boost financial resources for female entrepreneurs in the West Bank. The funding targets an underserved segment of the economy by improving access to capital for local firms.
Backed by the European Union, the transaction includes funded technical assistance and a 20 per cent first-loss risk cover. The financial facility operates under the wider Women in Business initiative managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Palestine Investment Bank will allocate the capital as loans to qualifying private micro, small and medium-sized enterprises run by women, navigating a difficult operational climate. The European Union contribution comes via its Initiative for Financial Inclusion under the Neighbourhood Investment Facility SEMED Financial Inclusion Programme.
Palestine Investment Bank will use the accompanying technical assistance package to create sustainable credit frameworks. This work involves designing specific lending terms and financial products targeted at female business owners, alongside marketing drives and training sessions for bank staff. Furthermore, sub-borrowers will receive support from the Advice for Small Businesses programme to improve corporate performance through direct consultancy, mentorship schemes and specialised coaching.
Gretchen Biery, EBRD Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, said: “We are pleased to partner with Palestine Investment Bank to support Palestinian women-led businesses in the West Bank. This financing will help unlock greater economic opportunities for women and underscores our shared commitment with the EU to advancing gender inclusion in the economy.”
Sameeh Sbaih, PIB Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are proud to partner with the EBRD under the Women in Business programme. This agreement marks an important step in promoting financial inclusion and supporting women-led businesses, especially in the current challenging environment. We thank the EBRD and the EU for their support, which will strengthen our ability to serve those most in need, promote women’s entrepreneurship and contribute to a more resilient and inclusive economy.”
Palestine Investment Bank started trading in 1994 and maintains its headquarters in Ramallah. The institution has a workforce of more than 330 staff across 21 branches, including an office in London and a branch in Bahrain. The bank manages a broad suite of commercial banking services for corporate, retail, public sector and small business clients. Since establishing operations in the West Bank and Gaza in 2017, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has cleared 39 projects carrying a total value of €209.5 million.
