Manila, September 2 (AseanAll)  — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Asif S. Cheema as its new Country Director for the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

As Country Director, Mr. Cheema will oversee ADB’s operations in the PRC, including the implementation of its country partnership strategy (CPS) that prioritizes high-quality, sustainable development. The current CPS is central in reorienting ADB’s engagement within the PRC as an upper-middle-income country.

“I am deeply honored to take up the role of Country Director in the PRC and to build on ADB’s four decades of strong partnership with the government and key stakeholders,” said Mr. Cheema. “ADB will continue its effective work with the PRC with a focus on innovation, environmental sustainability, resilience, and shared benefits. We will continue supporting reforms, institutional development, and private sector growth, while emphasizing on knowledge cooperation. Most importantly, ADB and the PRC will work together to share experience and best practices with other developing member countries, helping to promote replicable development models across Asia and the Pacific.”

Since joining ADB in 2014, Mr. Cheema has held several senior positions in the bank, including Director of the Financial Institutions Division for its Private Sector Operations Department, Director of the Urban and Social Sectors Division of its East Asia Regional Department, and Deputy Country Director of ADB’s Pakistan Resident Mission. He has led teams in structuring and executing high impact transactions and advancing access to finance, capital markets development, climate, and digital finance initiatives.

Mr. Cheema has more than 25 years of experience in investment banking and development finance. Prior to ADB, he worked in senior investment banking roles in Dubai, London, and New York with institutions such as Alpen Capital, Nomura International, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, and Deutsche Bank.

A national of Pakistan, Mr. Cheema holds an MBA from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the New York Institute of Technology.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.