World Bank names Diop as country director for PH
THE World Bank has appointed Ndiamé Diop as its new country director for the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Thailand starting July 1.
In a statement, the Washington, D.C.-based multilateral lender said Diop, who hails from Senegal, would oversee its operations in those countries and continue its policy dialogues with government counterparts, civil society, academe, private sector and other partners.
Diop said he was “very excited” to take on the position, as the four aforementioned countries “are among the most dynamic economies in East Asia with a strong track record of economic reforms and achievements.”
“The economic security of the middle class and the progress in poverty reduction are, however, being seriously threatened by the Covid- 19 ( coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic,” he added.
“I look forward to meeting our partners in government, civil society, the private sector and development agencies to learn how the bank can help cushion the health, economic and social impacts of the pandemic and set the stage for a lasting recovery.”
Before his appointment, Diop was the lender’s practice manager for Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment for East Asia and the Pacific, providing technical and strategic guidance to the economic
Ndiamé Diop. team working in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
He was also the World Bank’s top economist for Indonesia, leading the economic policy dialogue and the bank’s advisory and development policy lending support for the country; lead economist for Jordan and Lebanon; and resident representative for Tunisia.
Diop joined the World Bank in 2000 after completing his doctorate degree in economics that year.
The World Bank Group’s work in the Philippines includes providing support for infrastructure, as well as engagement in such sectors as agriculture, social protection, water resources and disaster risk management.
It also supports the government’s key economic policy and governance reforms, helps spur private sector growth and promotes peace and development in the southern Philippines.