New world bank chief in Ivory Coast for start of Africa tour

The new president of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, arrived in Ivory Coast's economic capital Abidjan on Tuesday for the start of a short Africa tour that will also take him to South Africa, dpa reported. The visit, which will see the 52-year-old Korean-American assess Ivory Coast's economy in the wake of the 2010-11 post-electoral crisis, is Kim's first official overseas mission as World Bank chief. He was due to visit a youth unemployment project and a women's leadership group before dining with Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara at the presidential palace later on Tuesday. Unemployment among young people in Ivory Coast is high in the wake of the crisis, which left 3,000 people dead and battered the country's economy. According to a statement released by the World Bank Tuesday, Kim's visit will allow him to 'discuss the way in which the World Bank can efficiently help Ivory Coast to further its economic growth, while reducing poverty and creating jobs and opportunities for its population.' Since 2009, the World Bank has donated about 551 million dollars to Ivory Coast in the form of backing for development projects. Kim will fly on to Johannesburg from Abidjan on Wednesday afternoon.