Asian Development Bank appoints new country director for Kazakhstan

ASTANA. April 26 (Interfax-) - Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Utsav Kumar as its new country director for Kazakhstan, the bank said in a press release on Friday.

Kumar will lead ADB operations in the country and foster the bank's relationships with the government and other stakeholders, according to the press release.

"He will oversee the implementation of ADB's country partnership strategy, 2023-2027 for Kazakhstan, which aims to help the country achieve sustained and inclusive growth through public and private sector investments, innovative knowledge solutions, and institutional development," the press release says.

Prior to his appointment to Kazakhstan, Kumar worked as ADB deputy country director for Sri Lanka.

The previous country director to Kazakhstan Nariman Mannapbekov, who held this position from 2020, was recently appointed as an advisor to ADB's Central and West Asia Department, according to the press release.

Kazakhstan joined ADB in 1994. ADB has since committed about $7 billion in loans to the government and private sector, grants, and technical assistance.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members-49 from the region.