World Bank Group's IFC names Nicolas Marquier as new country manager for Singapore

THE International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, on Monday appointed Nicolas Marquier as its next country manager for Singapore.

In his new role, Mr Marquier will manage IFC's hub office to serve all Asia and Pacific sub-regions. With the regional investment and advisory teams, he will coordinate IFC's business development efforts with Singapore-based companies.

Most recently, Mr Marquier was the adviser to the two IFC chief executive officers during the institution's formative times, when he contributed to the development and implementation of IFC's strategy, led complex organisational changes, and helped address advisory and investment project-related issues.

He has more than 15 years of experience designing and leading a broad range of strategic and business transformation projects, and has worked in multiple industries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Since 2012, it has invested more than US$2 billion in financing from its own account and mobilisation with Singapore-based companies.

Vivek Pathak, regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, said: "With this appointment, I am confident we can ramp up our sourcing and delivery of impactful investments from Singapore."

Mr Marquier said on Monday that he is keen to help share the experience and expertise of Singapore's government and private sector with emerging markets in the region.

Estimates of how much investment developing Asia needs, in order to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, vary from US$1.7 trillion to US$2.5 trillion annually, according to IFC.

Through Singapore, IFC can get greater access to locally based strategic partners wishing to broaden their regional presence by expanding into markets such as Vietnam, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

"As one of Asia's most developed and accessible financial hubs, Singapore is well positioned to help businesses and investors to reach developing countries across Asia and the Pacific," Mr Marquier said.

From Singapore, IFC advances cross-border investments and the mobilisation of capital from and through the city-state. It also promotes sustainable infrastructure and urban development, and supports the scaling up of disruptive technologies and new business models.

The Singapore office also serves as the base for all its regional industry directors - namely Rosy Khanna who heads the financial institutions group, Isabel Chatterton who leads the infrastructure and natural resources industry, and Rana Karadsheh-Haddad who oversees the manufacturing, agribusiness and services industry.