ADB names new country director for Azerbaijan

  11 April 2016    Read: 1071
ADB names new country director for Azerbaijan
Nariman Mannapbekov, who assumed office today as the new Azerbaijan Country Director for the Asian Development Bank (ADB), said he welcomes the opportunity to broaden ADB`s support for the country, including in new areas, said a message posted on ADB`s website.
"ADB and Azerbaijan have a strong relationship and I am honored to have the chance to continue our fruitful partnership," said Mannapbekov. "Priorities in ADB`s country partnership include transport, energy, water and urban infrastructure. Our goal will be to ensure our effective cooperation with Azerbaijan`s Government in these sectors as well as in carrying out its reform agenda."

As Azerbaijan`s economy faces challenges, the government is moving away from a dependence on hydrocarbons as a major source of revenue. The Azerbaijan 2020 Development Concept provides a framework for the country`s transition to a knowledge-based economy, which entails improving infrastructure, making social development more inclusive by reducing regional economic disparities, promoting good governance, and improving the climate for private sector growth. ADB supports the government`s policies and strategies to diversify the economy, and to develop a knowledge-based economy.

Mannapbekov, aged 50, an Uzbek national, has extensive experience in Central and West Asia where he worked as a senior economist in a number of ADB`s field offices.

Before joining ADB, he held a number of government positions in Uzbekistan, including Counsellor on Foreign Economic Affairs to the Minister of Finance, and Assistant to the Prime Minister on international financial and economic issues. He has a Bachelor`s degree from the Institute of National Economy and Master`s degree from the Institute of Economy of the Academy of Sciences, Uzbekistan.

ADB has been assisting the Government of Azerbaijan since 1999 with approved loan and grant projects totaling about $2.6 billion, including private sector transactions worth about $738 million, as of end 2015.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members-48 from the region.

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