Yahya Shunnar

Governor and Chairman of PMA

Mr. Yahya Jawdat Shunnar has an extensive and distinguished record, with over thirty years of local and international experience in economics, finance, and the public sector. His career spans various roles in Palestine, the Arabian Gulf, and the United States. He possesses extensive expertise in the banking sector and a deep understanding of designing, implementing, and managing financial systems, particularly in real estate financing, securitization, financial leasing, investment fund management, Islamic banking, portfolio management, financial valuation for mergers and acquisitions, underwriting operations, and securities promotion.

In terms of regional and international experience, Mr. Yahya Shunnar led the Real Estate Investments division at Ibdar Islamic Investment Bank in Bahrain from 2011 to 2016. He also served as Chief Investment Officer at Capivest Islamic Investment Bank in Bahrain starting in 2008. During this tenure, he obtained a license from the Central Bank of Bahrain to conduct financial investment activities and successfully completed the financial analysis requirements, earning FAP1 and FAP2 certifications. In 2011, he founded YJS Consulting, a firm specializing in financial advisory, mergers, and acquisitions based in Bahrain.

Previously, Mr. Shunnar served as Head of Marketing for the Nassar Group across Palestine, Jordan, Oman, and the UAE. He later became the Executive Director of Nassar Stone in Dubai during 2006 and 2007.

In Palestine, Mr. Yahya Shunnar has held various leadership roles in both the private and public sectors. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Establishment of Manage and Development Orphans Fund with the rank of minister until his appointment as Governor of the Monetary Authority. In addition, he was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Tamkeen Insurance Company and a member of the Board of Directors of the Palestine Islamic Bank.

Previously, he was the Investment Manager at the Palestine Development and Investment Company (PADICO) and served as Assistant General Director of the Palestine Stock Exchange. He played a significant role in the listing of Palestinian public shareholding companies and made a notable impact in training, qualifying, and registering brokerage firms within the Palestinian financial market.

In the Public Sector, Mr. Shunnar served as the Director General of the Secretariat of the Palestinian Council of Ministers, where he played a significant role in institutionalizing the Palestinian Council of Ministers. He was actively involved in various ministerial committees, serving as Secretary for several key committees, including the Ministerial Administrative Committee, which restructured ministries, authorities, and institutions of the Palestinian National Authority. His work included aligning public sector staffing with approved organizational structures based on administrative standards, academic qualifications, and professional experience, in accordance with the law.

Mr. Shunnar also participated in Palestinian negotiations, including the transfer of civil authorities and the transitional phase negotiations of the Oslo II Agreement. He led the logistical team from the secret negotiations in Italy to the signing of the Oslo II Agreement at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Shunnar holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Arkansas, USA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics from Yarmouk University in Jordan.