Ramallah, 02/05/2018 -  The Palestinian government, represented by H.E Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Shukri Bishara, and  the Norwegian government, represented by H.E. Ms. Hilde Haraldstad, Representative of the Office of Norway to the Palestinian Authority, Signed an agreement to support the Palestinian statistical program of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, PCBS for the period of 2018-2020. The new agreement has a total budget of US $ 2.71 million.
The signing of this agreement affirms the important and strategic role played by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics in building the Palestinian state. The agreement will be allocated to funding of core statistical projects of the PCBS program. The government of  Norway is a major donor and a strategic partner to the Palestinian Authority.
The Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Shukri Bishara expressed his appreciation to the Norwegian Government, for their continuous support to Palestine in many fields and sectors at all levels, H.E stressed on the importance of PCBS ' role as an official provider of data which is a key source of strategic planning at the political, cultural, social and economic levels which is vital to state building.   
Ms. Ola Awad, the President of PCBS. confirmed that the Government of Norway has been a major supporter of the Central Bureau of Statistics from the early start. This support has had a significant impact on the development of Palestinian statistical work at all levels and enabled PCBS to benefit from the best international technical assistance available to improve its operations. H.E stressed on the importance of continuing and strengthening this strategic partnership to achieve further progress in serving the Palestinian people. Ms. Awad added that PCBS is very proud of the distinguished relationship and strategic partnership with the Norwegian Government.
H.E Ms. Hilde Haraldstad, mentioned that the Norwegian government is pleased to continue its support to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) in order to continue implementing its various statistical activities and programs which are vital to the strategic planning and policy making process. Ms. Haraldstad expressed appreciation to PCBS for its professionalism throughout the years.
It's worth mentioning that the Norwegian Government have been  supporting the PCBS since its establishment  and has been supporting the core statistical program by contributing to the Core Funding Group since 2003 until the end of 2017.  The Norwegian Government has been a major supporter to the Population, Housing and Establishment Census 2017.

By the end of the ceremony, Ms. Awad presented an honorary plaque to the Representative of the Office of Norway to the Palestinian Authority  in recognition for their great and continuous support.