World Bank president arrives on two-day visit today

According to World Bank statement, Mr Kim would meet Pakistani leaders and stakeholders to find out how best to support making the country’s economic reforms more ambitious.

“Kim will discuss how to make the most of Pakistan’s untapped economic potential, the advantages offered by a young population, and the opportunities from its geographical position near huge markets,” it said.

Dr Kim will hold intensive interaction with Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, who is the main brain behind the massive economic reforms in several spheres.This will be the first visit of a World Bank President to Pakistan in last 10 years, second in last 18 years. This is also the first visit of Dr Kim, who has been in office for four years now.

Previously, he had three meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in past two years. He met him twice in New York and once in Washington.

Mr Kim will be accompanied by Annette Dixon, Vice President for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, Dimitris Tsitsiragos, Vice President for Global Client Services of International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, and Jan Walliser, World Bank’s Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions.

The World Bank’s programme in Pakistan is governed by its Country Partnership Strategy agreed with the government. The World Bank Pakistan portfolio has 26 investment lending projects under implementation with a total net commitment of $4.99 billion.