WB president arrives in Manila

WB president arrives in Manila

MANILA (AFP): World Bank president James Wolfensohn arrived here yesterday for a visit as part of a tour of countries hit hard by the Asian financial crisis.

Wolfensohn is scheduled to meet with Philippine President Fidel Ramos later Thursday at the presidential palace. He met with Filipino businessmen at a Manila hotel shortly after his arrival from Jakarta.

Wolfensohn was also to meet with the country's chief economic planner, the central bank governor and the head of the social welfare department, among others, before he calls on Ramos at the palace.

Ramos told reporters before the meeting he expects to discuss with Wolfensohn an expansion of the bank's assistance to the Philippines.

"With the Philippines, the World Bank has been supportive in the past ... especially in regard to human resource development, in environmental protection and the wise use of natural resources," Ramos said.