Ministry of Agriculture: Slaimiya chairs the second meeting of the Steering Committee for the Rural Financial Inclusion Promotion Project in Palestine (RUFIPP)

Ramallah: May 13, 2026

Minister of Agriculture, Professor Riziq Slaimiya, in his capacity as co-chair of the Steering Committee, chaired the second meeting of the Steering Committee for the Rural Financial Inclusion Project in Palestine (RUFIPP). The meeting was held in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, and with the participation of the European Union Representative Office, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), as well as representatives from governmental institutions, international partners and supporting entities, the Ministry of Labor, the Palestine Monetary Authority, and the Capital Market Authority.

During the meeting, Minister Slaimiya emphasized that the project comes at a crucial time to support the resilience of Palestinian farmers, especially in light of the increasing challenges facing the agricultural sector. He stressed that agriculture in Palestine represents a fundamental pillar of national resilience, land protection, and food security.

He pointed to the importance of the RUFIPP project in expanding access to finance and financial services for small farmers, rural enterprises, women, and youth through the revolving loan fund, the Innovation Challenge Fund, and financial literacy programs. This will contribute to improving incomes, creating job opportunities, and supporting sustainable rural development. During the meeting, the project manager, Mr. Mohsen Saeed, presented an overview of the project's preparations and progress, as well as its readiness to begin implementing the planned activities.

Participants also discussed ways to expedite project implementation, overcome challenges, and enhance coordination among partners to ensure that project resources reach the target groups and achieve a tangible impact for farmers and rural communities.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to guarantee the project's success and the achievement of its objectives in supporting the agricultural sector and strengthening the national economy.