McKinsey partner enforces Middle East Quartet
The so-called 'Middle East Quartet' has appointed the Dutch Kito de Boer to lead its efforts in boosting Palestine’s economic private-sector investments. De Boer works for McKinsey & Company since 1985 and is currently leading the Public Sector Practice for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Tomorrow, the nomination is officially announced by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Quartet on the Middle East
In the year 2002, four economic superpowers –the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia– decided to combine their forces and introduce the 'Middle-East Quartet'. Foremost goal: mediating the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and guiding a common outcome. Tony Blair is currently the special envoy of the Quartet. Formerly this role was fulfilled by James Wolfensohn (former Chairman of the World Bank) and José Maria Aznar (Spain’s former Prime Minister).
Next to facilitating peace discussions, the Middle East Quartet also works hard for developing the Palestinian economy. The Palestinian economy has a total GDP of an approximate $10 billion, what comes down to an average GDP per capital of $876 (Gaza) and $1924 (West Bank). Palestine’s economy is one of the poorest in the region. Apart from this, it still suffers from international sanctions and legislations. As a result, both foreign investment and private-sector investment is relatively low. With this in mind, four initiators decided to attract Kito de Boer. He is given the demanding task to excite major investors in establishing their local presence in Palestine.
His nomination does not come as a surprise. Over the past months he was leading a team of McKinsey consultants providing the Middle East Quartet with strategic and economic plans. By the beginning of March, the end document was presented. According this document, the Palestinian economy could receive a massive impulse if private sector investment will be targeting eight key sectors.
Kito de Boer
The Dutchman Kito de Boer is currently situated in the Dubai office of McKinsey & Company. He is leading the practice which advises EMEA governments on how to improve economic growth, education and health care. De Boer joined McKinsey in the year 1985 in London after graduating from Loughborough University (Leicestershire; UK). In the year 1993, he moved to New Delhi helping to launch the Indian Practice. In the year 2000, he moved to Dubai configuring the practice in the Middle East. Between 2000 and 2008, he was McKinsey’s managing director.
