M Teresa Kho

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed a US citizen, M Teresa Kho, as the new country director for its Bangladesh resident mission.

Kho succeeds Thevakumar Kandiah who retired from the ADB on January 12. The new country boss is expected to assume her new position on February 22.

Kho has been with the ADB since 1997, according to a statement . She is experienced in development issues in the region with focus on infrastructure, urban development, private sector development, co-financing management, and processing, implementation and monitoring of projects.

Prior to this assignment, she was a director of ADB's South Asia Urban Development and Water Division and managed urban water and sanitation, urban transport lending and technical assistance operations in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Kho's extensive experience also includes finance, administration, treasury and audit management. She has an MBA from Stanford University, and a BA in economics from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.

The ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members -- 48 from the region.

The Daily Star/Bangladesh/ 17th Feb 2012