Belgrade, Serbia, August 24, 2023—IFC has appointed Nicolas Marquier as its new Regional Manager for the Western Balkans. Marquier will oversee IFC's regional efforts to spur private sector growth and attract fresh private investment in key areas, including connectivity and climate resilience, amid major economic challenges facing the region.
Given Russia's invasion of Ukraine and tightening global financial conditions, economies in the region continue to suffer, especially with soaring food and energy prices. Despite the obstacles, countries in the Western Balkans have an opportunity to embrace a low-carbon growth trajectory, with the ongoing energy crisis highlighting the need to accelerate a green transition for a resilient and inclusive recovery.
As the new Regional Manager for the Western Balkans, Marquier stressed the need for more private sector investment that will enable countries in the region to tackle the challenges of limited fiscal space.
"The partnership between IFC and the Western Balkans spans over 30 years. With our unique perspective as the leading global development finance institution focused on the private sector, we're well-positioned to support the region and help it achieve its development goals, while also facilitating the European integration process in the Western Balkan countries," Marquier said.
Prior to this role, Marquier served as Country Manager for Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. In this position, he strengthened the capacity of IFC's Asia and Pacific regional hub office and accelerated outbound investments with Singapore-based sponsors. Previously, Marquier also advised two successive IFC Managing Directors.
"Our strategy in the Western Balkans is to support a green, energy and digital transition, helping increase resilience to the impacts of climate change and boosting competitiveness," said Rana Karadsheh, IFC's Regional Director for Europe. She added, "Moving forward, our goal is to invest across sectors in the region, especially renewable energy, banking, retail, manufacturing, and venture capital, among others."
Marquier takes over from Ary Naïm, who covered the Western Balkan countries and European Union (EU) member countries, including Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia as Regional Manager since August 2020. To help support and boost private sector development in Central and Southeast Europe, IFC has now established two distinct subregions under its Europe region. Accordingly, Marquier—based in Belgrade, Serbia—will oversee the Western Balkans, and Ary Naïm—based in Warsaw, Poland—will cover the EU member countries.
A French national, Marquier holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Durham, UK, and a Master's in Organizational Management from Sorbonne University, Paris.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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