International Finance Corporation appoints Rathnija Arandara as Resident Representative for Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal, May 06, 2025 — The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has appointed Rathnija Arandara as Resident Representative for Nepal. Based in Kathmandu, Arandara will lead efforts to expand IFC’s portfolio, develop new investment and advisory opportunities, and enhance the organization's impact across the country.

Arandara, a Sri Lankan national, has been an integral part of IFC since 2011, bringing a wealth of experience from her extensive work across the World Bank Group. Prior to this appointment, she played a key role in IFC's Country Advisory and Economics team in South Asia, where she focused on advancing financial inclusion, strengthening agribusiness, and improving the investment climate across various regions and industries.

"Rathnija's strong expertise in improving financial access and agribusiness across South Asia makes her an invaluable addition to our team. Her expertise will be key in expanding IFC's portfolio in alignment with Nepal's development goals. I am confident her leadership will boost our existing efforts, foster private sector growth, and support sustainable economic development in Nepal." said Martin Holtmann, IFC Country Manager, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.   

In her new role in Nepal, Rathnija will drive IFC’s business development initiatives, expand upstream engagement, and deepen partnerships with key stakeholders to substantially grow IFC’s investment and advisory activities for increased development impact.

“Nepal possesses remarkable untapped potential, and IFC is committed to working together with partners in the country to help realize its full potential in critical areas such as infrastructure, digital services, tourism, and financial sectors,” said Arandara. “Aligning with the overall strategy of the World Bank Group in Nepal, I look forward to working closely with our public and private sector partners towards achieving sustainable and inclusive growth” she added.

Prior to joining the WBG, Arandara worked at PwC Indonesia and Oracle AG in Switzerland, where she specialized in mergers, acquisitions, and financial markets. In Sri Lanka, she worked as an investment officer at the National Development Bank.

Over the past five years, IFC has committed nearly US$700 million, including mobilization efforts in clean energy, private equity, financial and hospitality sectors. These investments have been pivotal in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), advancing the green energy transition, and promoting financial and gender inclusion.

The fiscal year 2024 marked a milestone for IFC in Nepal, with substantial commitments across its three principal sectors: Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services, and the Financial Institutions Group. Each sector has embarked on at least one transformative project, collectively amounting to an impressive US$84 million.