THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed a new country director for the Philippine country office ahead of the 51st ADB Annual Meeting at its headquarters in Manila.
Kelly Bird, ADB Southeast Asia department public management, financial sector and trade division director, will replace Richard Bolt, who served the Philippine Country Office since 2014.
The last time the ADB held its Annual Meeting in Manila was in May 2012 at the Philippine International Convention Center. The last time it was held at the ADB Headquarters was in June 2003.
“I feel both privileged and excited with my appointment to the Philippines Country Office,” Bird said. “We have a dedicated team and we are committed to working closely with Filipinos and the government to support the country in sustaining its impressive growth momentum and creating a caring society.”
Bird was also principal economist for the Southeast Asia department of the ADB, with almost 12 years of experience working in the Philippines.
He will lead ADB operations in the Philippines and supervise the effective implementation of ADB’s “Country Operations Business Plan 2018-2020” (COBP) and the “Country Partnership Strategy” (CPS) 2018-2022, which are currently being prepared.
The COBP and CPS aim to help the country achieve sustainable infrastructure development, human capital development and better access to jobs and improved regional development and finance.
Before joining ADB in 2006, Bird served as a policy adviser to the Indonesian government for USAID and World Bank projects for eight years. He also worked on projects for the World Bank and USAID in trade, investment, employment and competition policy in numerous countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal and several southern African economies.
He holds a doctorate in economics from the Australian National University, where he also earned his master’s degree in economics. He took his undergraduate degrees in laws and commerce from the University of Otago in New Zealand.
The Philippines is a founding member of ADB and is host to the bank’s headquarters since it was set up in 1966. ADB has provided $18.3 billion in total loan assistance to the Philippines.
This is comprised of $17.2 billion for the public sector and $1.1 billion for the private sector. ADB has also been supporting the country through knowledge work, with $357.1 million in total approved technical assistance and grants.
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.
1 comment
Thank you for your brief information about ADB. Few are aware of this. To most, even among bankers and in the financial industry, ADB is just a nice bldg. in Ortigas.