Written by The Banking Post
Johannes Zutt, the newly appointed Vice President for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, arrives in Dhaka today for a four-day official visit. This marks his first country visit in his new role, which he assumed on 1 July 2025.
During his visit, Zutt will meet with the Honourable Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, the Finance Adviser, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, and other senior government officials, alongside representatives from the private sector.
Zutt, a Dutch national, is no stranger to Bangladesh. He served as the World Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal from 2013 to 2015. Reflecting on his return, he said, “I have very fond memories of Bangladesh, its people, and the friendships I have made there. I was always impressed by the resilience and creativity of the Bangladeshi people and their determination to build a better future for their children.”
“I look forward to returning to Bangladesh to see firsthand the transformative changes that have been achieved over the ten years since I left my role as Country Director. The World Bank remains committed to helping Bangladesh maintain a sustainable and inclusive growth path and create more and better jobs for the two million youths entering the job market every year.”
Zutt joined the World Bank in 1999 and has since held several leadership roles. He most recently served as the Country Director for Brazil and previously led the Strategy, Results, Risk and Learning division within the Operational Policy and Country Services (OPCS) Vice Presidency. His earlier roles include Country Director for Türkiye, Comoros, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, and Somalia.
The World Bank has been one of Bangladesh’s earliest development partners, supporting the country since its independence. To date, the Bank has committed around $46 billion to Bangladesh, primarily in the form of grants and concessional credits. Bangladesh currently hosts one of the largest ongoing portfolios supported by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank Group’s concessional arm.
