New World Bank Rep. pledges support to boost growth, address climate change

WASHINGTON – New World Bank Representative for Jamaica, Giorgio Valentini, says the Bank will continue to assist efforts in the region to boost social and economic growth and to address the impact of climate change.

"The World Bank is committed to continue supporting the Caribbean as the region makes improvements in economic growth and social development in the wake of the global financial crisis, which has proved particularly challenging to them," Mr. Valentiti stated in a release from the Bank on March 16 announcing his appointment.

“The challenges of climate change for the Caribbean countries are also a key focus that we support fully with a variety of programme tailored to each country’s specific needs,” he added.

Mr. Valentini, who will be based in Kingston, replaces Badrul Haque, who had been the Bank’s Special Representative in Jamaica since March 2008.

He will also have programme responsibilities for Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

“In his new role, Giorgio will continue to strengthen relationships between the Bank and partner countries, while ensuring the overall quality of the Bank’s financial and analytical services,” said the Bank’s Director for the Caribbean, Françoise Clottes.

Mr. Valentini, an Italian national, brings to the position, more than 20 years of experience in international development and the private sector.

He joined the World Bank in 2002 and has worked in the Latin America and Africa regions in the areas of state modernisation, health care, judicial reform, public-private partnerships, social protection and fiscal administration. His most recent position was Country Representative for Guyana based in Georgetown.

Before joining the Bank, Mr. Valentini worked as a management consultant for Booz Allen & Hamilton on business development for the private sector and on the reform of the social security administration in the United States.

He graduated from George Washington University with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in management and finance.

By DERRICK A. SCOTT