The World Bank has appointed Tanzanian national Maryam Salim as its new country manager for Cambodia.
Salim who holds a master’s degree in International Economics and Relations from Johns Hopkins University, and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University succeeds Inguna Dobraja, who has moved to Moldova after five years of heading the World Bank office in Phnom Penh.
With over 20 years of experience in the World Bank, Salim most recently was the Country Manager for Albania.
The World Bank stated that Salim will lead the World Bank’s day-to-day business with the government and development partners, including a $1.1 billion portfolio of projects implemented by government agencies with World Bank funding and technical support.
These projects are aligned with Cambodia’s development priorities, with the World Bank’s twin goals of reducing poverty and increasing shared prosperity.
In her response, Salim said “It is my great pleasure to take this new position and I am very glad to be back to Cambodia, 17 years after first working here as a team leader for social fund projects to strengthen communities and fight poverty.”
She added: “I look forward to working with my Cambodian colleagues to help the country manage the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, lay the groundwork for a robust recovery, and build resilience against future economic shocks.”
Salim previously worked as a social and human development specialist in Cambodia and she has held several high-profile positions in Bank operations policy in Washington D.C.