World Bank appoints new country director for Nepal and Bangladesh

The World Bank (WB) has appointed Johannes Zutt as its new country director for Nepal and Bangladesh. Zutt joined the World Bank office in Kathmandu today.

Zutt, a Dutch national, has wide experience in development since 1990, as he had joined the World Bank in 1999 and has since then held managerial positions of increasing responsibility.

Most recently, prior to the new appointment, Zutt had served as the country director for Eritrea, Kenya, and Rwanda. He has also worked as the country programme coordinator for a number of countries, including Angola, China, Malawi, Mongolia, Mozambique and Zambia, as well as the team leader for numerous country strategies and projects.

Zutt will guide the World Bank’s engagement in Nepal, aiming to help reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity.

His priorities will include supporting the government in its efforts to promote sustainable development, inclusive growth and good governance.

The World Bank Group has been a partner to Nepal’s development efforts for the past five decades.

Since 1969, the World Bank has provided more than $3.5 billion to support Nepal’s efforts at sustainable development and poverty reduction. The World Bank’s current portfolio in Nepal consists of 17 projects with a commitment of $1.3 billion.