The World Bank has announced Mr. Faris Hadad-Zervos<\/strong> as the new Country Director for Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n Mr. Faris will lead the World Bank support to Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka from the sub-regional office based in Kathmandu, Nepal. He will be overseeing the current total portfolio of around USD 5.5 billion.<\/p>\n Succeeding Ms. Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough, Mr. Faris will be taking on a new World Bank assignment. Before this, he worked as the World Bank Country Manager for Nepal.<\/p>\n Since his joining in the World Bank in 1996, Mr. Hadad-Zervos served as Country Manager for Malaysia and Bolivia, Technical Cooperation Program Manager for the Gulf Cooperation Countries, Head of the Mission for Iraq, and Operations Manager for Gaza.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mr. Faris’s appointment comes at the time when the three countries are striving to address the health and socio-economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is critical to protect lives and livelihoods and support economic recovery as countries are fighting the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis,\u201d said Mr. Hadad-Zervos.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cMy first priority is to ensure that World Bank-financed programs help alleviate the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, create jobs, and foster inclusive and sustainable growth in the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and I look forward to working with governments, development partners, the private sector, and civil society,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n [1\/2] I am deeply honored to take up my new role as the @WorldBank<\/a> Country Director for #Maldives<\/a>, #Nepal<\/a> and #SriLanka<\/a> starting today. https:\/\/t.co\/KoWZvidLFh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Faris H. Hadad-Zervos (@WorldBankNepal) July 1, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n