QUITO, August 1, 2018 – Juan Carlos Alvarez became the new World Bank representative in Ecuador today. Alvarez replaces Indu John-Abraham, who held the position for the past five years.
Alberto Rodríguez, World Bank director for Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru said, “I am grateful for Indu John-Abraham’s work at the helm of the World Bank office in Ecuador. John-Abraham will now lead the office in Bolivia.” He added that, “I am pleased to welcome Juan Carlos Alvarez, who will have the important task of continuing to support the Government of Ecuador and to move forward with the Bank’s relationship with different government institutions, the community of donors, the private sector, civil society, academia and other actors.”
Juan Carlos Alvarez was born in Costa Rica, studied law at the Universidad Autónoma de Centro América and pursued graduate studies in international law at the American University in Washington, D.C. Before joining the World Bank, Alvarez worked in the public and private sectors in Costa Rica.
He joined the World Bank in 2000 as an attorney for the Legal Vice-Presidency for Latin America and the Caribbean, where he collaborated with Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico and Colombia. Beginning in 2005, he was based in the regional offices of Mexico, New Delhi and Dubai, advising the units of each country on World Bank legal and policy issues.
Alvarez will support the World Bank team in Ecuador in the implementation of its current project portfolio. Over the next 18 months, in collaboration with the Ecuadorian government, he will also lead the preparation of the new World Bank work strategy in the country. This four-year strategy aims to support efforts to reduce poverty and promote sustained, inclusive economic growth.
“It will be an honor for me to work in Ecuador and to support government initiatives to improve the quality of life of Ecuadorians, as well as opportunities to create more jobs and improve productivity and conditions to help expand the economy and the protection of the most vulnerable,” said Juan Carlos Alvarez, World Bank Resident Representative in Ecuador.
The World Bank finances eight projects in Ecuador. Four are implemented with sub-regional governments and four with the central government. Financing totals US$ 1.4 billion, which covers key areas for development, including water and sanitation, transportation, education and agriculture. Additionally, the Bank provides technical assistance in nutrition, evaluation of quality of spending, social protection, transportation and other issues.
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