WASHINGTON, October 24, 2008 – Pamela Cox, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, announced today the appointment of Makhtar Diop as Country Director for Brazil, effective January 1, 2009.
Mr.Diop, a former Minister of Finance from Senegal, joined the Bank in 2001 as Country Director for Kenya, Eritrea and Somalia in the Africa Region. Upon completion of that assignment he was appointed Sector Director, Finance, Private Sector and Infrastructure, in the Latin America and Caribbean Vice Presidency. His most recent assignment was as Director of Strategy and Operations, for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Mr. Diop will work closely with Brazilian authorities and other stakeholder facilitating innovative development solutions that respond to the country’s priorities at the national level as well as promoting Brazil’s increased global role and south-south cooperation”, said Cox. “He will also provide strategic and intellectual leadership to the Bank's program in Brazil, and will manage the Bank's Brazil team”.
Country Directors are based on the field and are in charge of the World Bank local programs. Mr. Diop replaces Mr. John Briscoe who is retiring from the Bank after an outstanding professional carrier.
Diop will be based in Brasilia. Brazil is the largest partner of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), averaging about US$1.4 billion per year in commitments over the last five fiscal years. Net commitments from the Bank to Brazil total US$6.2 billion.
The World Bank supports Brazil’s increased role in international development, especially in areas such as international trade, climate change, south-south cooperation and support to poorer countries. The Bank is actively working with Brazil to help make sure that Brazil’s voice is heard and its expertise available on global development issues. Recently, World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, emphasized that Brazil, Mexico and other emerging economies should be part of a new Steering Group devoted to solve global issues such as the financial crisis, together with the G-7 (richest countries).
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Contacts:
In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-67-68
Gaguilar2@worldbank.org
In Brasilia: Mauro Azeredo (55-61) 3329-1059
mazeredo@worldbank.org
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