Governor of Palestine Monetary Authority Visits Tulkarem, Signs MoU with Palestine Technical University - Kadoorie, and Holds Meeting at Tulkarem Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture

His Excellency Mr. Azzam Shawwa, the Governor of Palestine Monetary Authority, Dr. Riyad Abu Shehadah, Governor’s Assistant for Financial Stability Affairs, Mr. Ali Far’oun, the Director of Market Conduct Department at Palestine Monetary Authority, and Mrs. Irene Saadeh, the Director of Public Relations and Communication Department at Palestine Monetary Authority, visited Tulkarem Governorate and met with Governor Issam Abu Bakir and Governorate staff. Mr. Shawwa briefed Mr. Abu Bakir and Governorate staff about the most recent banking developments and the work of Palestine Monetary Authority to preserve financial stability in Palestine. Mr. Shawwa also met with representatives of the different economic sectors in Tulkarem. 

Mr. Abu Bakir praised the work of Palestine Monetary Authority, the banking sector, and banks’ support of the Palestinian economy in general and the economy of Tulkarem Governorate in particular. Mr. Abu Bakir briefed the delegation about the most recent developments in Tulkarem Governorate following the investment and development plan of the Governorate designed in spite of difficulties.   

Mr. Shawwa and delegates from Palestine Monetary Authority visited Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie in Tulkarem. Mr. Shawwa signed a memorandum of understanding, with Dr. Marwan Al-Awartani, the President of Palestine Technical University - Kadoorie, aiming for joint cooperation to benefit the academic sector and students by conducting joint activities such as organizing lectures on educating finance and banking and raising awareness in this area. This is part of the efforts of Palestine Monetary Authority to enhance financial inclusion and organize practical training programs at Palestine Monetary Authority for the students of Economics and Business Administration Faculty and to supply Palestine Technical University - Kadoorie with the reports Palestine Monetary Authority produced.

Mr. Shawwa said that the signing of the memorandum of understanding was to enhance relations between Palestine Monetary Authority and universities and to provide students and the academic sector with banking expertise and information. Dr. Al-Awartani affirmed the importance of enhancing relations between Kadoorie and Palestine Monetary Authority. Mr. Al-Awartani also praised the role of Palestine Monetary Authority and its corporate social responsibility in addition to its other tasks; most importantly protecting financial stability.   

Palestine Monetary Authority’s delegates visited Tulkarem Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture where they were welcomed by Mr. Ibrahim Abu Haseeb, the Chairman of the Tulkarem Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and members of the Board of Directors. The meeting addressed the difficulties Tulkarem traders face as a result of the Israeli measures. They also addressed ways of joint cooperation with Palestine Monetary Authority to assist traders. 

Mr. Shawwa met at the Tulkarem Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture with traders and money changers and bank branches’ managers in Tulkarem to be briefed about the needs of the money changing businesses, businesspeople, and traders. Mr. Shawwa praised the Tulkarem Governorate’s resilience in facing crises and difficulties. Mr. Shawwa pointed out to the success of Palestine Monetary Authority in ensuring financial stability on Palestine.

Mr. Far’oun briefed the meeting about the returned checks system and the electronic clearance program. Dr. Abu Shehadah briefed the meeting about the latest developments in banking supervision, Palestinian national assessment report, and compliance with the standards of combating money laundering and terrorism financing. Mr. Abu Shehadah also addressed relations with Israeli banks and solving the problem of surplus shekels and the efforts of Palestine Monetary Authority to enhance methods of electronic payments and reduce using cash payments. The meeting debated issues related to the banking sector including challenges and difficulties facing different economic sectors.

The meeting was facilitated by Dr. Hisham Awaratni, the advisor of the Tulkarem Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and Professor of Economics at Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie.