World Bank Group and IMF secretaries arrive in Dubai on fact finding visit

This is the first joint visit to Dubai by two senior officials of the Bank and the Fund in 2003.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, Vice-President and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group and Mr. Shailendra J. Anjaria, Secretary of the International Monetary Fund, were met at Dubai International Airport late on Friday night by Dubai 2003 General Coordinator Mr. Ibrahim Belselah.

The two distinguished visitors commenced their tour with a visit to the Dubai 2003 offices on Saturday where they met Dubai 2003 General Coordinator Mr. Ibrahim Belselah.

The party then held discussions with H.E. Dr. Mohammad Khalfan bin Khirbash the Minister of State for Finance and Industry on the status of preparations for the 58th Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund to be held in September. The two Secretaries praised the efficiency of the Government and Dubai 2003

Following this meeting the group moved on to a tour of the Dubai International Convention Centre that has now been completed on schedule. From there they visited the Dubai branch of the UAE Central Bank where they met with the Governor His Excellency Sultan bin Nasser Al Suwaidi to further discuss programmes and schedules of activities around the meetings.

After the two meetings the Secretaries said that they were very impressed with the efficiency of the arrangements being undertaken by Dubai 2003 and the UAE Central Bank to ensure successful meetings in September 2003.

The Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund were first held in Washington DC in 1946. They are hosted by an international city one year in three. Dubai and the UAE were selected because of its highly developed transportation and logistics infrastructure, growing importance as a financial hub and its established position as an oasis of opportunity.