World Bank President Dr Kim on first official visit to Africa

Dr Jim Yong Kim – World Bank President

World Bank Group President, Dr Jim Yong Kim will visit Africa on his first official visit outside the US since taking up his new position in July 2012.

In a statement, the Bank said Dr Kim will visit Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa between September 4-6, 2012.

He would meet with the Presidents of both countries as well as government ministers, women leaders and young people, along with business representatives and they will discuss how the World Bank can better support African countries achieve higher economic growth, significantly reduce poverty, and create more jobs and opportunity for the people of the continent, the Bank said.

“Reducing poverty and creating opportunity for people to succeed are vital to the World Bank Group’s mission and I plan to continue to strengthen our work towards these goals. For this reason I chose Africa for my first official visit as World Bank Group President, recognizing the priority given by the continent’s governments to faster growth and less poverty,” Dr. Kim said in the statement August 30, 2012.

“…I look forward to hearing directly from governments and people on the continent on how the Bank can help drive more inclusive development throughout Africa,” he added.

Dr. Kim will also discuss with leaders in both countries the importance of stepped-up regional integration for Africa’s future, the statement indicated.

On his trip, the World Bank President will be joined by Mr Makhtar Diop, the World Bank’s Vice President for Africa.

By Ekow Quandzie

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Shares