Al Bireh – MDLF Director General Arch. Abdel Mughni Nofal, received a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), involved the Head of Department for the Middle East and North Africa, Ambassador Robert Rydberg, and Head of cooperation, Consul General of Sweden in Jerusalem Mr. Rolf Carlman, MDLF executive managers attended the meeting.

The purpose of this visit was to attain MDLF role and work in developing and supporting local government sector involving rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure, developing capacity building projects and other innovative and social projects MDLF implements.

MDLF Director General, Arch. Nofal presents a brief profile about the organization, elucidating that MDLF is considered the PNA’s preferred channel for supporting reform and development of local governmental units (LGU’s).

From his part, MDLF team introduced a detailed presentation showing MDLF’s work and support in West Bank and Gaza, where the Acting Director of Operations Eng. Khaled Rajab indicated that “MDLF sustains development projects for infrastructure and capacity building”, mentioning in particular Municipal Development Program (MDP) that aims to improve municipal operational performance using a formula-based method for distributing funds to municipalities.
Furthermore, Eng. Rajab referred to the cooperation with SIDA, which is one of the funding partners for MDP and other vital projects in Gaza with a contribution up to 6 million Euros.

At the end of the meeting, the delegation commended the MDLF and its effort in implementing pioneer projects and encouraging investment. From his part, MDLF DG Arch. Nofal expressed gratitude for Swedish people for supporting projects for the local government sector in Palestine, through SIDA, and thanked the delegation for visiting MDLF.