In a significant appointment, Sarvesh Suri has been named the Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific at the International Finance Corporation (IFC). With an impressive 25 years of experience in global investment and development, he is well-equipped to lead initiatives that promote collaboration between public and private sectors. This announcement highlights Suri's strategic role in driving all investment and advisory activities across this diverse region, aiming to leverage private sector involvement to tackle intricate development issues and foster job creation.
As a key member of the World Bank Group, Suri will manage a dedicated team from India to the Pacific Islands. Together, they will craft innovative private sector solutions spanning various industries, including finance, manufacturing, agribusiness, services, as well as infrastructure and natural resources. Their goal is to enact transformative changes that benefit both communities and businesses alike. Suri will operate from Singapore, ensuring he is at the center of these vital efforts.
Supporting him in this role are two newly appointed Division Directors: Keiko Miwa, located in Jakarta, Indonesia, will oversee operations in South West Asia and the Pacific Islands. Additionally, starting February 1, 2026, Arnaud Dupoizat will take charge of East Asia from his base in Hong Kong SAR, China.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the new position, Suri remarked, "It is my genuine privilege to return home to Asia for a role that will allow me to make a meaningful and lasting difference in a region that has shaped me personally and professionally. Asia is where I grew up and first worked, and I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to bring together the capabilities of the public and private sectors to tackle the pressing development challenges of the region at scale."
Before stepping into this prominent role, Suri served as the Regional Industry Director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources at IFC, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. During his tenure, he was instrumental in launching Mission 300, a significant initiative for the organization. Suri's extensive career within the World Bank Group also includes six years at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) as Director of Operations, where he managed crucial risk mitigation strategies for cross-border investments in developing nations. His early career at IFC spanned 15 years in various leadership roles, including Senior Regional Manager, overseeing business functions in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea from Jakarta.
Suri recognizes the diverse challenges faced by countries throughout Asia and the Pacific, stating, "What unites people across the region is that they all want the dignity of a job -- livelihoods to support themselves and their families. My focus therefore will be on maximizing IFC’s toolkit of private sector solutions to create jobs. We can do this by mobilizing private capital and pursuing innovative financing instruments. We can strengthen local capital markets. We can make equity investments for greater impact. And we can invest in micro-, small-, and medium-enterprises as engines of job creation."
An Indian national, Suri holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi University. This combination of education and rich experience positions him well to drive impactful change in the region.
