The PMA receives an international award for the best initiatives on enhancing the financial awareness for youth

As part of the annual general conference of the Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI)

The PMA received an international award, called (The Global Youth Financial Award 2022), from the AFI for the best initiatives and programs on enhancing the financial awareness for youth. Palestine was listed among the top 5 countries nominated for the award out of 30 competing countries, which also included Egypt, Ecuador, the Czechia and Bangladesh.

This award was granted to the PMA in recognition of the level it has achieved trough organizing and implementing several initiatives within this context. Most important of which were the awareness raising activities for electronic payment services and for promoting the use of financial technology.

Dr. Feras Milhem, the Governor of PMA, received the award during the annual general conference of the Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), that took place at the Dead sea- Jordan, in the presence of representatives of all member countries of the Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion.

As for the individual awards, Mr. Samer Afana, the Head of the Financial Technology Department at the PMA, received the Technical Leadership Award.

Dr. Feras Milhem, the Governor of PMA, assured after receiving the award that this success indicates the advanced professional level of the PMA, which is now highly ranked among its international and Arab counterparts. This is due to the expertise and the capabilities of its staff that keeps pace with the most recent global developments, along with its tangible efforts in achieving the requirements of National Financial Inclusion Strategy in Palestine.

The Governor pointed out the importance of continuing to enhance the financial inclusion among all groups of society, focusing on the Youth and Women because they are the most financially excluded groups, and because of their important role in participating in economic development.

The Governor thanked His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas and his government for their continued patronage and support to the PMA and the Palestinian banking system. He also thanked PMA’s partner institutions for their role in implementing financial awareness initiatives, namely the Association of Banks in Palestine and payment services companies, the Ministry of Higher Education, and the UNRWA Education Programme and the GIZ and for all workers in the banking sector.

The Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) is the largest international alliance for financial inclusion. It was established in 2009. It consists of 82 institutions representing 75 countries. It aims to empower policy makers in all member countries to enhance the levels of financial inclusion by enhancing access to and use of high-quality financial services by the financially excluded groups, which can be achieved by drafting and implementing sustainable global policies. Palestine, represented by the PMA, is one of the first countries to join this Alliance back in 2010. It is also a key member of all of the seven financial inclusion working groups. It currently chairs the Financial Inclusion Strategies Working Group, and is also working on behalf of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group.