IFC Helps Improves Sanitation Services in West Bank with Landmark Agreement

Hebron, West Bank - IFC, a member of the World Bank Group,is helping authorities improve sanitation and waste management services for 840,000 people living in the southern West Bank.

IFC was the lead advisor to the Joint Services Council for Hebron and Bethlehem (JSC-H&B) on a landmark agreement, signed yesterday, that will see a private sector consortium operate a modern landfill near Hebron. The facility is expected to dramatically improve waste management in the southern West Bank, where illegal dumping has become a health threat and environmental hazard. The Greek consortium WATT, Mesogeos, and Epem was awarded the contract to run the landfill, the first public-private partnership of its kind in the West Bank and Gaza.

“The anticipated reduction in the illegal dumping of waste will greatly benefit almost one million Palestinians living in the southern West Bank,” said Daoud Zatari, Mayor of Hebron and Chairman of the JSC-H&B. “It will address a public health risk and show how the private sector can make an important contribution.”

Vera Baboun, Mayor of Bethlehem and deputy Chairman of the JSC-H&B, said, “This project is an example of the continuing cooperation between the Hebron and Bethlehem governorates towards providing improved and sanitary solid waste management services to the people of the southern West Bank.”

The Hebron and Bethlehem governorates account for more than 34 percent of solid waste in the West Bank, but an economic downturn and a reduction of foreign aid have made it difficult for public finances to cover some services.

“The private sector can provide technical expertise and management experience that public authorities sometimes struggle to deliver in complex environments,” said Mouayed Makhlouf, IFC’s Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “This public-private partnership will help West Bank residents access the services they deserve and it demonstrates the opportunities for private investment in the West Bank.”

Spain, DevCo, and the Public Private Infrastructure Advisory supported the project. The construction of the landfill was made possible with a World Bank grant.

This project is part of IFC’s strategy in the West Bank and Gaza to promote economic growth by helping provide people with access to essential services. IFC committed almost $15 million to encourage foreign trade in the territories in fiscal year 2013, and plans to continue promoting public-private partnerships to develop infrastructure.


About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private enterprises in more than 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. In FY13, our investments climbed to an all-time high of nearly $25 billion, leveraging the power of the private sector to create jobs and tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges. For more information, visit www.ifc.org


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