World Bank to set up integrated office in Sri Lanka in 2025

Ajay Banga

Sri Lanka has been selected as one of 20 countries to establish a World Bank Group (WBG) integrated office, set to open in July 2025, according to an announcement made by WBG President Ajay Banga yesterday.

The World Bank Chief shared the news during a virtual meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and government officials to discuss Sri Lanka’s future development priorities.

“The establishment of the integrated South Asia office is part of  Banga’s plan to improve coordination between the four key World Bank institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA),” the Presidential Media Division said. 

The establishment of the office will help Sri Lanka strengthen its relationship with the global institution, analysts said.

During the meeting, Banga reiterated the World Bank’s commitment to supporting job creation and addressing key challenges in Sri Lanka’s development. 

He mentioned that the World Bank’s financial and technical assistance will focus on sustainable sectors such as agriculture, water management, climate action, infrastructure and digital transformation.

In line with Sri Lanka’s development priorities, President Dissanayake highlighted the government’s focus on poverty alleviation in rural areas and its efforts to strengthen key sectors such as tourism, maritime industries and energy. 

Dissanayake also stated that the government aims to increase revenue via digitalisation of state-owned enterprises and promote economic growth in the North and East of Sri Lanka, particularly by improving education, healthcare and human resource development.