World Bank chief to visit Jordan this week

AMMAN — World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim will visit Jordan this week as part of a regional tour that will also take him to Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, the bank said in a statement. 

During the June 1-4 tour, Kim’s talks with officials will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the bank’s “commitment and support”. 

A World Bank official told The Jordan Times that Kim is due to arrive in Amman on June 3. 

This will be Kim’s first visit to the three countries since taking over as president of the World Bank Group in July 2012.

In Jordan and Lebanon, Kim will reiterate the bank’s commitment to supporting both countries in mitigating the impact of Syrian refugees on the economy, education and basic services, according to the statement.

Discussions will also “address long-term development agenda and the bank’s sustained engagement through various instruments to promote reforms for growth and fiscal sustainability”. 

During his four-day visit Kim will meet with heads of state, government leaders as well as private sector and civil society representatives to discuss how the World Bank Group can best continue supporting countries in the MENA region to promote sustainable growth and shared prosperity, the bank said.