Thimphu, June 30, 2025- Jean Pesme starts today as the World Bank's new Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Pesme brings a wide range of development experience to the job, including a track record in promoting economic growth and development, and making financial systems more resilient and inclusive. A French national and an engineer by training, Pesme joined the World Bank in 2003 as a Senior Infrastructure Specialist and has since held leadership positions within the World Bank Group, including its private sector arm, IFC. He has extensive experience in working on financial sector issues, notably in the Middle East and North Africa.
Prior to taking this assignment, Pesme served as the Global Director, Finance and led the World Bank's work to promote the development of sound, stable, sustainable, and inclusive financial systems. He also led the World Bank's Financial Stability and Integrity global team, which assists countries in building and restoring robust and resilient financial systems operating with integrity, transparency and in compliance with international standards.
"Bhutan has set a bold vision for its future and to match this level of ambition, the World Bank Group has stepped up support to the country. Our new Country Partnership Framework for Bhutan envisions a substantial increase in support to help Bhutan create more and better jobs and accelerate growth while safeguarding its culture and nature," said Pesme. "I am excited to take on this role at a time when Bhutan is on a transformative growth path. Going forward, we are coming in with the full force of the One World Bank Group, collaborating closely with our private sector arms, IFC and MIGA to mobilize private sector growth and investment.
In his role as the World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, Pesme will lead the strategic and policy dialogue to shape World Bank engagement in Bangladesh and Bhutan, supporting the countries to achieve their respective development goals. He will also ensure that the country and regional programs are aligned with the World Bank Group's vision and mission and anchored in country priorities, while emphasizing selectivity, speed, scale, impact, and partnerships.
Bhutan and the World Bank's strong and long-standing partnership spans over four decades. Currently, the World Bank has an ongoing program of nearly half a billion dollars in four projects.
