Mio Oka appointed as new Country Director for Asian Development Bank India

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): In a strategic move, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Mio Oka as the new Country Director for India, succeeding Takeo Konishi. The role places Oka at the forefront of steering ADB operations in India and nurturing crucial relationships with the government and other development partners.

This development follows Konishi's promotion to ADB Director General for South Asia, underscoring the significance of ADB's commitment to India's developmental goals.

Oka, a Japanese national, brings nearly three decades of professional experience to the position, with over 18 years dedicated to ADB. Her journey with ADB began in 2005 as a project specialist in the Mekong Department, followed by impactful roles such as advisor to the President and director in the agriculture and natural resources sector.

Expressing her anticipation, Oka stated, “I eagerly look forward to further solidifying our strong partnership with the government and other stakeholders, channeling my efforts into pioneering solutions, to support the country’s priority agenda.”

The new Country Director will play a pivotal role in steering ADB's operations in India and overseeing the implementation of ADB’s country partnership strategy, 2023–2027. This strategic roadmap is designed to catalyze robust, climate-resilient, and inclusive private sector-led growth in India. Key elements include accelerated structural transformation, job creation, promotion of climate-resilient green growth, and enhanced social and economic inclusiveness.

Oka's appointment reinforces ADB's longstanding partnership with India, where the bank has been a steadfast supporter of the country's development goals since the inception of its country operations in 1986.

India is currently the fourth-largest shareholder in ADB and has been a major borrower since 2010. In 2023 alone, ADB committed $2.59 billion in sovereign lending to India, demonstrating the bank's ongoing commitment to supporting critical projects in the country.

As Oka takes the helm, her leadership is poised to be instrumental in advancing ADB's goals in India, contributing to the nation's inclusive and green growth momentum.