The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has elevated Mio Oka, a Japanese national, to the position of Country Director for India.
She succeeds Takeo Konishi, who has been promoted to ADB Director General for South Asia at the Manila headquarters. Mio Oka, an alumna of the London School of Economics, brings nearly three decades of professional experience to her role, including over 18 years with ADB. She joined ADB in 2005 as a project specialist in the Mekong Department and has since served in various capacities.
Oka served as an advisor to the President for about six years and held a managerial role as a director in the agriculture and natural resources sector, covering the South Asia region and Emerging Areas team for over seven years. Before her tenure at ADB, Oka worked with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency Bangladesh Office.
In her new role as Country Director for India, Oka will be responsible for steering ADB operations in India and fostering relations with the Government and other development partners. She will lead the implementation of ADB’s country partnership strategy for 2023–2027, focusing on catalysing robust, climate-resilient, and inclusive private sector-led growth in India. This includes accelerating structural transformation, job creation, promoting climate-resilient green growth, and enhancing social and economic inclusiveness.
She expressed her eagerness for the role and stated, “I eagerly look forward to further solidifying our strong partnership with the government and other stakeholders, channelling my efforts into pioneering solutions to support the country’s priority agenda.”
