ADB’s new country director for Pakistan assumes office

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) appointed Xiaohong Yang as the new country director for Pakistan, who assumed office on Monday. She is the ADB’s first woman country director in Pakistan as well as the first national of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to do so.

“I am very pleased to announce Ms Yang as ADB’s new country director for Pakistan,” said Sean O'Sullivan, director general for Central and West Asia at ADB. “Pakistan’s recent growth and development has been impressive. With further economic and structural reforms taking place and new opportunities emerging, Ms Yang will bring to this key position strategic leadership and considerable experience in the region to support this transformation.”

Xiaohong Yang will lead the implementation of ADB’s Country Partnership Strategy 2015-2019 for Pakistan, which focuses on infrastructure development and institutional reforms. ADB has lent an average of $1.5 billion per year to Pakistan over the last three years.

The new country director will spearhead ADB operations in Pakistan to support the country’s development goals through regional initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Central Asian Regional Cooperation (CAREC).  

“Pakistan has a fast improving economy led by a youthful, dynamic workforce. ADB is committed to assist the country to boost growth and spur job creation through our support to energy, transport, agriculture, urban services, and public private partnerships,” she said.

“I am looking forward to working with the government, private sector, development partners, civil society, and other stakeholders to help Pakistan achieve its development targets.”

Xiaohong Yang’s professional experience in development spans over three decades, during which she managed complex infrastructure-related assignments covering a diverse portfolio, including highways, railways, waterways, cross border logistics projects, and PPPs.