Tashkent, May 4 -- Anna Bjerde, a Swedish national, became the new World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia on May 1st, 2020. In this position, Ms. Bjerde will lead the World Bank's strategic, analytical, operational and knowledge work in the region.

Ms. Bjerde takes leadership of the Europe and Central Asia region during an exceptionally challenging time for the Bank's client countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many countries battling severe health, social and economic impacts. Amid continued uncertainty, the World Bank's latest Europe and Central Asia Economic Update suggests various negative growth scenarios for the region, including a major recession in 2020, with growth contracting to between ?4.4 and ?2.8 percent...