Nairobi (Halbeeg News) – Chinese national and World Bank veteran Qimiao Fan will take over as new World Bank country director for Somalia, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, the Bretton Woods institution said in a statement.
According to the statement, Fan will oversee the World Bank’s support program across the four East African countries, managing an active portfolio of 102 projects worth $17.2 billion.
“Fan, who has over 35 years of experience in development practice, will oversee the design and implementation of the World Bank’s support program to the four countries that has an active portfolio consisting of 102 projects totaling $17.2 billion,” the World Bank said in the statement.
In China, Fan was Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of HC International between 2000 and 2002. Before that, he had served as Vice Chairman of the Board and CEO of Tintic Trust and Investment Company, and as Vice President of UBS Securities
He also served in strategic roles within the Bank, such as Director of Strategy and Operations for the Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions Vice Presidency.
Fan replaces Keith E. Hansen, who served as the Country Director for the region from September 2020.
His appointment comes at a time when the World Bank’s policies and programs are closely scrutinized, particularly about structural adjustment programs and their impact on local economies.
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