On August 7, CLDP, met with the Palestinian Competition Law Steering Committee to discuss the current draft competition law and identify key areas of technical support that is needed. The Palestinian Authority, through the leadership of the Ministry of National Economy, has spearheaded economic legal reforms that aim to improve the West Bank’s Doing Business ranking. In the past few years, the West Bank, through Presidential Decree, has passed various laws and regulations, included a secured transaction law. The Ministry, through Presidential support, aims to pass a new competition law in order to spur the local economy, develop much needed enterprises, and increase foreign investment. The US General Consulate in Jerusalem requested CLDP to provide direct support to the Ministry and the Steering Committee, so that the draft law can be passed. The meeting was led by the Director General for Competition, alongside members of the Steering Committee, which consists of key stakeholders and representative from the public and private sector. The consultations led to a consensus between the Committee and the Ministry on the goals, objectives, and legal framework of the competition law. The Ministry agreed to send the final draft of the competition law and has requested CLDP to review the draft. In the coming weeks, CLDP will be working with a committee of U.S. and international experts to provide commentary and recommendations on the draft to the Ministry and the Steering Committee.