World Bank MD due in Banjul

By Kemo Cham
The World Bank Managing Director, Nigerian Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will arrive in Banjul on Wednesday, February 10 2010, according to a dispatch from the Bank’s communication department on February 8, 2010.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala, who will be on an official visit to the country, is scheduled to meet with Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, Vice-President Isatou Njie-Saidy and some key cabinet members, according to the statement.
“This visit is an opportunity to deepen the Bank’s good relationship and dialogue with The Gambia’s leadership, while emphasizing our support for improving private sector development and rural development  as well as education and public sector management,” Habib Fetini, World Bank Country Director for the Gambia, is quoted as saying.
According to the dispatch, the Bank’s visiting Managing Director is also scheduled to visit the Business Park established with support of the IDA-funded Gateway Project Business and the Gambia Groundnut Company. Part of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s itinerary during her stay in Gambia is a press conference, slated for Wednesday at 4:00 PM, according to the same statement.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala rose to international prominence when she headed Nigeria’s Finance ministry between July 2003 and June 2006. Her achievement then garnered international recognition for improving Nigeria’s financial stability and fostering greater fiscal transparency to combat corruption. In October 2005, she led the Nigerian team that negotiated the landmark cancellation of US $18 billion or 60 percent of Nigeria’s external debt with the Paris Club. Dr Okonjo-Iweala also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, overseeing Nigeria’s External Relations, from June to August 2006.
Read the visiting World Bank MD’s full profile on our Business and Finance Section.