KATHMANDU, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday appointed Mukhtor Khamudkhanov as new Country Director for Nepal.
According to a press statement released by ADB Nepal office Thursday, Khamudkhanov will lead ADB operations in Nepal and oversee the formulation and implementation of ADB's Country Partnership Strategy, which aims to support the country's long-term development needs.
"My priority is to build on that partnership, work closely with the government, and effectively coordinate our country office's extensive support to the government's development agenda and poverty reduction efforts," Khamudkhanov was quoted as saying in the statement.
Khamudkhanov replaces the outgoing Country Director Kenichi Yokoyama, who served in Nepal from 2011 and is now Country Director at ADB's India Resident Mission.
"Nepal is a founding member of ADB, which, to date, has provided the country with 5 billion U.S. dollars in public and private sector loans, technical assistance, and grants," the statement read.
The ADB has been extending support in Nepal's infrastructure, human capital and private sector development, and regional integration and social inclusion.
Khamudkhanov, an Uzbek national, joined the ADB in 2001 and has since held numerous leading positions. Prior to this appointment, he served as Principal Energy Specialist in the Energy Division for South Asia at ADB headquarters in Manila, Philippines.
