World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to Visit Mexico and Guatemala

Media contacts:

In Washington: Stevan Jackson (202) 458 5054
Sjackson@worldbank.org

In Mexico: Gabriela Aguilar (5255) 54-80-4252

Gaguilar2@worldbank.org

In Guatemala City: Carmen Gadala (502) 2366-2044, Ext 278

Cgadala@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2005 – World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz travels to Mexico and Guatemala April 25-29 to see first-hand how both countries are working to boost growth and competitiveness in order to fight poverty and inequality more effectively.

“This is my first visit to Mexico, Guatemala and my second to Latin America as President of the World Bank,” said Wolfowitz. “Both Mexico and Guatemala are working hard to achieve more dynamic and inclusive growth, and the Bank will continue supporting their efforts and similar efforts of nations across Latin America.”

During his visit to Mexico, Latin America’s largest economy, Wolfowitz will travel to Mexico City, the northern industrial city of Monterrey and several rural communities in the southern State of Guerrero, one of the poorest in the country. He will meet with President Vicente Fox and his economic team, members of indigenous communities, representatives of think-tanks, the private sector and civil society.

In Guatemala, Wolfowitz will meet with President Oscar Berger and travel to several poor and rural municipalities to visit Bank-supported projects and talk to Guatemalans about their needs and the impact of social programs on their lives. He will also speak with Guatemalan civil society groups, indigenous peoples and business and government leaders.

“Guatemala and Mexico share a rich legacy of ancient traditions and they face the common challenge of boosting growth and competitiveness to fight poverty and inequality more effectively,” said Wolfowitz. “I look forward to seeing their many achievements and hearing about the challenges they face and how the Bank can contribute to their efforts.”

Mexico is one of the Bank’s largest borrower with 19 active Bank projects representing $3.3 billion in net commitments and 6 Global Environment Facility (GEF) grants of about $80 million. In Guatemala, the Bank has 13 projects totaling about $573 million in net commitments for education, health, infrastructure, judicial reform, financial sector, competitiveness, and rural development.

The first visit of President Wolfowitz to Latin America was to Brazil in December 2005.

For more information on the World Bank’s work in Latin America, please visit: www.worldbank.org/lac