World Bank Group opens new Solomon Islands office with ADB [1]
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 05:47. Updated on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 15:54.
Today the World Bank Director for the Pacific Region, Nigel Roberts, and the Asian Development Bank's Regional Director of the Sydney Office, Eugenue Zhukov, jointly opened the new premises of the World Bank Group, which will also host the ADB development coordinator. These premises symbolize the deepening working relationship by both banks with the Solomon Islands Government and with each other.
In establishing their presence in Honiara, ADB and the World Bank Group are reaffirming their commitment to assisting small states affected by conflict and fragility, in which a sustained local presence better enables the two banks to bring their varied international experience to bear, and thereby provide better support.
"Having a physical presence in the country will help us gain a better understanding of the country's needs," said Nigel Roberts. "It also offers us an opportunity to provide more effective support for the country's development efforts and to better align our programs to those of the Government and of other development partners."
"ADB's presence in the country will deepen cooperation with the Government, the World Bank and other development partners, and improve the delivery of economic and social services," said Eugenue Zhukov. ADB, 10/11/08.