Status of the National Strategic Plan and Horizons of Implementation
As part of Birzeit Legal Encounters, the Institute of Law (IoL) at Birzeit University hosted Dr. Sameer Abdullah, Minister of Planning and Labour at the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), as well as economic and development expert. Dr. Ghassan Faramand welcomed and introduced Dr. Abdullah, highlighting his longstanding experience in the economic and development sectors.
Having succeeded the previous Palestinian Hamas-led government, Dr. Abdullah explained the difficult conditions and considerable challenges that have encountered the present Palestinian government. At first, the Palestinian government did not have a sufficient budget and governmental performance was scattered and weak. Especially in education and health sectors, governmental services have also declined due to escalated Israeli aggressions, security instability, absent rule of law and state of fragmentation between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Combined, these factors adversely impacted the economic activities in the Palestinian territory.
Immediately, the present Palestinian government took the initiative to develop the "Quick Recovery Programme July – December 2007". The Quick Recovery Programme aims to restore confidence in the Palestinian economy and consolidate diverse channels of external support into one channel. Therefore, it was necessary to improve external relations in order to revive economic and development activities.
Initially, the government's effort has focused on developing the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan (PRDP), which aims to unify governmental economic activities, especially the public budget. The Palestinian Government also produced the Medium Term Agenda for Palestinian Reform and Development, which is expedient for implementation of the PRDP.
In the course of the PRDP, PNA ministries and agencies were requested to define limits of their respective priorities. Through their objectives, PNA ministries and agencies will compete as to achieve goals of the Government.
To produce the plan, the PRDP core team divided the Palestinian sector into the following sectors, Governance, Economy, Social and Infrastructure. In this line of operation, PNA Ministries of Finance and Planning have also coordinated activities between all relevant PNA ministries and agencies.
Complimenting ongoing efforts and achievements, Dr. Abdullah asserted that for the first time in the PNA history such a nationally-owned and pure Palestinian plan and project have been produced. The PRDP was widely admitted at the Paris Conference as well as by international organisations. In effect, Palestinians could secure aid that was effectively 40% higher than the PNA had expected.
Additionally, Dr. Abdullah emphasised that the development activity is in itself a process of reform. Reallocation of budgeted resources is also part of the desired reform.
With regard to implementation mechanisms and horizons, Dr. Abdullah explained that the PNA is now in the process of establishing monitoring and evaluation departments to follow up with implementation of the PRDP as well as performance indicators at each PNA ministry and agency. In reality, this is part of the institutional building capacity currently in place.
Furthermore, Dr. Abdullah said that the PRDP has introduced substantive changes to the reform process. In the course of preparing development plans, each PNA ministry and agency should also reform its respective organisational structures and procedures.
In the ensuing discussion, a number of participants highlighted how the Palestinian layman can see the results of the PRDP. A discussant also asked whether and how the PRDP is related to the Government's legislative plan. In addition, other participants raised questions on the role of civil society organisations and private sector in fulfilment of the PRDP.
In conclusion, Dr. Abdullah stressed the importance of an efficient monitoring and evaluation of governmental performance by the Palestinian civil society. Now, the Palestinian Government is prepared and willing to receive complaints from the public.
