CHENNAI, India, March 29, 2012 – World Bank Group President, Robert B. Zoellick, today paid a special visit to the development institution’s Chennai office to personally deliver a vote of thanks to staff.
Zoellick, who is stepping down as President on June 30, is the first head of the World Bank Group to visit Chennai. The Bank’s operation in Chennai has grown from about 70 staff in 2001 to close to 500 staff today, providing corporate financial, accounting, administrative and IT services to Bank operations around the globe.
“The Chennai office reflects the Bank’s commitment to decentralizing business processes while enhancing our global presence,” Zoellick said. “It’s a clear demonstration of the Bank’s continuing efforts to use resources effectively to deliver development results on the ground.”
Today Bank staff in Chennai work in a 128,000 square foot facility, the largest Bank-owned building outside of its Washington, DC headquarters. Zoellick took a tour of the energy-efficient ‘green’ building, featuring carbon sensors, automated lighting and air conditioning systems, and water recycling plants.
After thanking the staff for their dedication, Zoellick said: “I am truly pleased at how quickly this office has grown due to your hard work. I value the contribution, professionalism and dedication you bring to the important work you do and wish you success in the years ahead.”
Zoellick, who has visited India four times during his five-year tenure as Bank President, has been meeting government leaders, officials and representatives of business and civil society in Delhi and also visited Odisha to pledge Bank support and see how the resource-rich state was working integrate environmental issues into its development strategy.
