KUALA LUMPUR: The World Bank Group has named Judith Green as its new country manager for Malaysia.

In a statement today, the bank said the newly created position will have Green based in the World Bank Group's inclusive growth and sustainable finance hub in Kuala Lumpur, which supports the country's development priorities through knowledge, investment, and advisory-based assistance.

The hub also capitalises on Malaysia's development experiences and policy innovations to facilitate knowledge exchanges between Malaysia and low and middle-income countries that aspire to emulate Malaysia's development success.

Green was previously the country manager for the Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank Group member dedicated to private sector development in emerging markets.

She holds a BSc in Accounting from the University of the West Indies and is a fellow of both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (United Kingdom) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica.

Meanwhile, Green said Malaysia has successfully diversified its economy from one dependent on agriculture and commodities to value-added manufacturing and services sectors, which have driven economic growth.

"Expanding our engagement with both the public and private sectors under this new leadership approach will enable us to better support Malaysia in its development ambitions," she added.