Martin Raiser has been appointed the World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia, the World Bank said in a statement.  

Raiser has a total of two decades of experience with the World Bank.  

“As the regional Vice President for South Asia, Mr. Raiser will manage Bank relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and oversee a portfolio of projects, technical assistance and financial resources worth almost US$55 billion,” the World Bank said.  

The Afghanistan Ministry of Economy urged Raiser to consider the unfinished projects in the country. 

“When the World Bank implements our development projects, this will be effective and it will also create job opportunities and will overcome poverty,” said Abdul Rahman Habibi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Economy. 

Meanwhile, economists said that the World Bank was one of the main supporters of the development budget in Afghanistan in previous years. 

“There are hopes of paving the way for three more projects in health, agriculture and livelihoods worth $450 million,” said Shakir Yaqob, an economist.  

 “The World Bank supports small, medium and major projects in Afghanistan. The bank also contributes to support of the TAPI Pipeline Project,” said Shabir Basheeri, an economist.  

A German national, Mr. Raiser holds a doctorate degree in Economics from the University of Kiel, Germany, and degrees in Economics and Economic History from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences.