Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 5 December 2011.

North Africa and the Middle East

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will assist the Arab Financing Facility for Infrastructure and the Cross-border Trade Facilitation and Infrastructure Programme; and, if so, to what extent and by what means.

Answer: There are no current plans to assist the Arab Financing Facility for Infrastructure and the Cross-border Trade Facilitation and Infrastructure programme. The UK has established a dedicated Arab Partnership Fund to support political and economic reform and transition in the Middle East and North Africa over the next four years. This comprises a £40 million Arab Partnership Participation Fund to support political reform managed by the FCO and a £70 million Arab Partnership Economic Facility (APEF) managed by my department. The APEF will support job creation, economic growth and effective and accountable financial institutions. Programming of this funding is currently underway.

Secondary information