Saturday, April 28, 2012 | Posted by BCJP
April 26, 2012 17:54
This picture shows workers carrying bricks with bamboo framework from a
boat at the harbor in Yangon. The World Bank announced on April 26, 2012
that it would open an office in Myanmar, nearly two decades after its
last projects in the country. (YE AUNG THU/AFP/Getty Images)
The World Bank will open an office in Myanmar, two decades after its last project in the country.
The World Bank indicated on Thursday that it will open an office in
Myanmar in June, moving to re-engage with the country two decades after
its last projects there ended, said the Associated Press.
Pamela Cox, the bank's regional vice president in East Asia, said the bank would examine Myanmar's development needs.
Cox said, "We've been working very closely with our board and our
shareholders, the other bilateral partners, the IMF, and, of course, the
government of Myanmar on plans for moving our relationship forward," according to Reuters.
She pointed out that the country, also known as Burma, was emerging
from decades of international isolation with huge unpaid debts. According to Reuters, Myanmar's arrears amount to $393 million to the World Bank and $500 million to the Asian Development Bank.