The Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) has launched the "Estidama Fund" aimed at providing financing for MSMEs that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a total size of USD 300 million. The PMA will contribute USD 210 million to this fund, which is being implemented through banks and specialized lending institutions. The program will allow affected enterprises; including projects managed by women, to access low-cost financing to overcome the current crisis, sustain their operations, and increase their ability to retain local employment. Over 98% of projects in Palestine are small and medium enterprises, and the Palestinian economy heavily relies on the activities of these enterprises. Sustaining the operations of these projects requires providing immediate liquidity at nominal interest rates not exceeding 3% and a repayment period of 36 months to contribute to their continuity, operational capacity, and sustainability under current circumstances.

 Objectives of the Estidama Fund 

• Empowering affected projects, particularly MSMEs, including those managed by women, to obtain the necessary financing to cover immediate operational expenses, support working capital, and continue paying salaries and wages to enable them to sustain production and services.
• Contributing to the revival and sustainability of operations in the sector of enterprises and small and medium enterprises.
• Contributing to containing the expected financial crisis and enabling the economy to overcome it.
• Assisting in restoring economic activity and achieving targeted growth rates.
• Building the capacities of project owners through the Monshati platform.