WASHINGTON DC, MARCH 8, 2023 – World Bank Group (WBG) President David Malpass will arrive today in Panama as part of a four-day official visit to Latin America and the Caribbean that will also include the Dominican Republic. During the visit, President Malpass will underscore the importance of boosting competitiveness and enabling private sector investment to accelerate growth and the region’s recovery from current overlapping crises.
Mr. Malpass will meet with Laurentino Cortizo, President of the Republic of Panama, and Luis Abinader Corona, President of the Dominican Republic, as well as authorities and partners of the World Bank Group in both countries, including from the private sector.
“I am looking forward to discussions in Panama and the Dominican Republic focused on growth and competitiveness through increased investment. Like much of the world, people in Latin America and the Caribbean are facing difficult economic conditions, high prices for food and fuel, rising interest rates and climate costs, and a shortage of financing. We are working to better enable private sector investment, improve the regulatory environment, and increase sustainable growth,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass.
Joining Mr. Malpass on his visit will be Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Alfonso Garcia Mora, IFC Regional Vice President, of Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The World Bank Group is a long-standing development partner of Latin America and the Caribbean. Since April 1, 2020, and up to its last completed fiscal year (ending June 30, 2022), the WBG has committed an unprecedented total of $49.8 billion. This financial support has gone to help countries in the region respond to the overlapping challenges of the sharp economic slowdown, rising inflation, and deepening food insecurity due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as assist in the recovery from the health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19.