Lebanese Delegation Pursues U.S. Meetings with World Bank, IMF

Economy and Trade Minister Mansour Bteish pursues his visit to Washington leading a Lebanese delegation for meetings with World Bank and International Monetary Fund officials, media reports said on Saturday.

The Minister held a meeting with Adviser at the International Monetary Fund's Middle East and Central Asia Department, Christopher Jarvis and his collaborators. Discussions focused on the financial and monetary reforms the Lebanese government intends to take.

The delegation also met with International Finance Corporation’s vice president for the Middle East and Africa, Sergio Pimenta, in the presence of the Regional Director for Industry and Services in the Middle East and Africa at the World Bank, Marie-Jean Moyo.

They discussed the possibility of funding a number of projects for some sectors in Lebanon, and paid particular attention to energy and private production sectors, said the reports.

Later, the Lebanese delegation met with Dean of the Board of Executive Directors and Executive Director of the World Bank Group, Merza Hasan, who stressed "the will for serious cooperation with Lebanon." He wished the formation of a cohesive government team to set priorities and follow projects with the World Bank based on an economic vision.