World Bank announces new Country Director for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has announced the appointment of Mr Najy Benhassine as new Country Director for Pakistan.

“Mr. Najy Benhassine is the World Bank’s new Country Director for Pakistan effective August 1,” said WB press statement issued here. He succeeds Illango Patchamuthu, who completed his term on July 31.

Mr Benhassine said he is honoured to join the Pakistan office as World Bank Country Director and is looking forward to further building and strengthening our relationship with Pakistan, particularly in supporting the country to tackle immediate and long-term health and economic impacts of COVID-19.

He thanked his predecessor Patchamuthu Illangovan for his dedication and leadership while serving as Country Director for past five years. ” I look forward to building upon the exceptional work and progress with our excellent team here in Pakistan,” he added.

Benhassine most recently served as Regional Director for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions in the Middle East and North Africa. He was Director Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation Global Practice.

He joined the World Bank in 2001 and has worked extensively on economic development, finance, private sector development and impact evaluations.

His appointment comes at a time when Pakistan is confronting both the immediate and longer-term health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

“It is critical that we help protect the lives and livelihoods of the people of Pakistan and support economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Benhassine.

“My first priority is to ensure that World Bank support helps to not only alleviate the immediate health and economic impacts of the crisis but at the same time support the Government’s ambitious social and economic reform program to promote a more resilient and inclusive economy so that Pakistan can build back better,” he added.

The World Bank portfolio in Pakistan includes 56 active projects amounting to approximately $11 billion including reforms and investments to strengthen institutions, particularly in fiscal management and human development, multi-sectoral initiatives in children’s nutrition, education and skills, agriculture, tourism, disaster risk management, and urban development; and clean energy, and social and financial inclusion.

World Bank is also supporting the government of Pakistan through COVID-19 emergency response projects to help the country prevent, detect and respond to the pandemic and strengthen public health preparedness.