World Bank names new Phl head
The World Bank announced yesterday the appointment of economist Ndiamé Diop, a Senegalese, as its new country director for the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Thailand, effective July 1.
In his new position, Diop will oversee the World Bank’s operations in the four countries and continue the institution’s policy dialogues with government counterparts, civil society, academe, private sector and other partners
“I’m very excited to take this role of country director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand,” Diop said in a statement.
“These 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 pandemic. 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 health, economic and social impacts of the pandemic and set the stage for a lasting recovery.”
Diop has 20 years of experience working for the World Bank across East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia and SubSaharan Africa.
Prior to this appointment into his new position, he was practice manager for macroeconomics, trade and investment for East Asia and the Pacific, providing technical and strategic guidance to the economic team working in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
He was also lead economist for Indonesia, leading the economic policy dialogue and the bank’s advisory and development policy lending support for the country. Earlier in his career, he worked as lead economist for Jordan and Lebanon and was World Bank resident representative for Tunisia.
Diop joined the World Bank in 2000 as a young professional following the completion of his doctorate’s degree in economics the same year.
The World Bank Group (WBG) said its program in Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand combines cutting-edge analytics, advisory services and lending operations to support the countries’ development agendas.
The World Bank team generates knowledge and provides evidencebased advice to support key reforms and share development and policy innovations with other developing countries.
WBG runs an Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Finance Hub in Malaysia, partnering with the country in developing and implementing global development solutions.
Its work in the Philippines, meanwhile, spans more than seven decades, providing support for infrastructure as well as in agriculture, social protection, water resources, disaster risk management. The WBG also provides support for the government’s key economic policy and governance reforms, as well as efforts to promote peace and development in the South.
In Thailand, its work focuses on promoting competition and innovation by helping Thailand improve its business environment, economic institutions and infrastructure.
In Brunei, WBG’s program supports improving business regulations.