The Task Force on Cost Sharing and Local Cost Financing was created by Senior Vice President of Operations [OPNSV] Moeen Qureshi in October 1989. The objectives of the task force were to review the Bank's implementation of its cost sharing policy and determine if any changes were needed as a result of the review.

The motivation for the Task Force originated in a June 13, 1989 meeting of the Bank's Board of Directors when questions from the Board were raised concerning the determination of the levels of local cost financing and cost sharing for individual projects within the context of the Bank's local cost financial policy. The policy, OMS 1.22 - Local Cost Financing and Cost Sharing, had been issued in September 1977.

A draft response to the Board's concerns was circulated internally by Bank management in July 1989 and a final response to the Board was distributed on October 2, 1989. The note contained background on past policies related to local cost financing and cost sharing (including OMS 1.22) andinformation about then-current implementation including in those projects discussed by the Board in June 1989.

The Task Force was officially created later in October 1989 to 1) review recent cost sharing experience in light of existing policy procedures (specifically OMS 1.22), and 2) recommend any needed changes in the guidelines resulting from that review. Changes to the OMS would be incorporated into a new Operational Directive 6.30 -- Cost Sharing and Local Cost Financing.

Randolph (Randy) Harris of the Central Operations Department (COD) served as chairman of the task force. (COD reported to OPNSV Moeen Qureshi, who oversaw and managed the Bank's Operations Complex.) The Task Force was made up of representatives from the four regional vice presidencies, Sector Policy & Research Vice Presidency (PREVP), Loan and Trust Funds Department (LOADR), General Counsel Vice Presidency (LEGVP), Strategic Planning & Review Department (SPRDR), Risk Management & Financial Policy Department (FRSDR), and two departments in the Development Economics & Chief Economist Vice Presidency (DECVP; Economic Advisory Staff [EASDR] and the Country Economics Department [CECDR]).

The Task Force's final report was submitted to Qureshi on May 31, 1990.

Bernhard H. Liese was born in Fassberg, Germany in 1942. He earned degrees at the University of Bonn (MD, 1969 and D.Sc., Malariology, 1971) and Harvard University School of Public Health (MPH, 1976). Liese worked for several years as health project manager and director of a nursing and midwifery school for the Ministry of Health in Cameroon. Later, he oversaw the Health Policy Desk in the Federal Ministry of Health in Germany.

Liese joined the World Bank Group (WBG) in 1976 as a public health assistant in the Office of the Environment and Health Affairs (VPSEH, later CPSEH) situated under the Projects Advisory Staff (PAS) of the Central Projects Vice Presidency (CPS). He became a public health specialist (CPSEH) in 1978 and then moved to the Population Projects Department (POPD1) in 1979.

In early 1980, Liese served as deputy director, Division II (PHND2) in the newly created Population, Health, and Nutrition Department (PHN) and was responsible for lending operations and analytic work in Latin America, East Asia, and West Africa regions. From 1985 to 1990, he was a senior public health specialist, first in the Office of the Director, PHN, then later in the Population, Health and Nutrition Division (PHRHN) that was formed in the Bank-wide 1987 reorganization.

In 1985, while continuing in his role as senior public health specialist, Liese became the Bank's representative to constituent bodies of certain World Health Organization (WHO)-led multi-donor programs. The programs in which Liese contributed include the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), Onchocerciasis Control Program (OCP), and the WHO Division of Diarrhoeal and Respiratory Disease Control (CDR).

From July 1990 to 1999, Liese served as director, Health Services Department (HSDDR) for WBG and International Monetary Fund staff. He also continued coordinating the Bank's TDR activities and overseeing the OCP program to eradicate river blindness in West Africa and the African Progamme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC). A separate but similar program, APOC launched in 1995 by the Bank Group and its partners to target the disease in the remaining endemic countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.

In February 2000, Liese moved to the Africa Regional Vice Presidency (AFRVP) sector unit Human Development front office (AFTHD) where he was a senior public health adviser. From 2002 to 2010 he served as a consultant in AFR. Liese departed the Bank in 2015 following a consultancy with Independent Evaluation Group Country, Corporate, and Global Evaluations (IEGCC).

Yukio Yoshimura was appointed to the position of senior advisor to World Bank Group (WBG) President James Wolfensohn on July 23, 2001. Yoshimura had previously served as executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1998 to 2001 during which time he chaired the Working Group on Bank-Fund Collaboration. Prior to his time at the IMF, Yoshimura spent almost 30 years with Japan's Ministry of Finance. He also served as alternate executive director for Japan at the World Bank from 1988 to 1991.

As senior adviser in the WBG Office of the President, Yoshimura supported President Wolfensohn in a variety of areas, including strengthening the Japan/WBG partnership, communications with multilateral development banks (particularly the Asian Development Bank), and collaboration with the IMF.

In July 2002, Yoshimura was named World Bank vice president and special representative of the World Bank Tokyo office. He would serve in this role until he retired from the WBG at the end of 2006.

The World Bank's external affairs function can be described as a hybrid: combining diplomatic and consultative activities commonly associated with a government's foreign ministry, with the public relations activities of a strategic communications firm. A functional definition of external affairs used in this fonds includes:

• Developing and maintaining relations with external groups and shareholders, such as the media, the public, development community and Bank member countries in order to increase public support for, and awareness of, the mission and work of the World Bank Group;

• Supporting high-level Bank staff in their interaction with external groups and shareholders;

• Liaising with non-governmental and international organizations, including the United Nations. Note that, beginning in 1987, this sub-function was shuttled in and out of the units responsible for the external affairs function. As a result, records related to liaison can be found in other fonds. See the Related Units of Description below for location of records in other fonds;

• Managing an internal communications program responsible for informing Bank staff of significant events and developments inside the Bank;

• Publishing and distributing Bank research and technical and informational publications;

• Coordinating technical assistance coordination activities. Note that EXT-related units were not the only ones responsible for this sub-function in the Bank and that in 1981 this sub-function was permanently and completely transferred to the Bank's regional operations units. See the Related Units of Description below for location of records in other fonds.

The following administrative history provides detail on the transfer of functions into and out of the units responsible for external affairs and provides more information on the nature of the functions described above.

1947-1967

The World Bank's external affairs function appears to have been established in 1947; there is no mention of it in the Bank's 1946 directory. Its first iteration was as the Public Relations Department (PRD) with Drew Dudley acting as Director. The Department reported to Vice President Robert Garner and was responsible for:

• the development and application of Bank policies for the dissemination of information concerning the purposes, activities and accomplishments of the Bank;

• planning, promotion, and execution of information programs in the Bank's member countries through print, media, and published speeches and booklets;

• maintaining contactwith the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations;

• cooperating with the Marketing Department on information programs affecting the sale of the Bank's securities;

• and monitoring the press for commentary on the Bank and its work and circulating this information through the institution.

In late 1949, Drew Dudley was sent to Paris to be the Bank's new Director of Public Relations for Europe. The Bank's European Office was responsible for:

• maintaining liaisons with the European member governments and European international organizations;

• arranging for the sale of Bank securities in Europe, including the sale of portions of Bank loans;

• carrying out information programs;

• and performing administrative functions, particularly regarding accommodation and secretarial arrangements for meetings, translations, travel within Europe, etc.

Over the subsequent decades, the Bank opened offices in a number of other cities, including London and Tokyo, in order to perform public relations activities.

William Ayers briefly replaced Dudley as Director of PRD on 1 November 1949 but passed away shortly thereafter. Harold N. Graves was named the Department's new Director on 20 November 1950. He served in this role for the next seventeen years.

In 1951, responsibility for liaising with the UN and other international organizations was removed from PRD and placed in the new Technical Assistance and Liaison Department (TAL).

In 1953 the Department's name was changed to the Office of Public Relations. Two years later, in 1955, its name was changed again, to the Office of Information (INFO). The 1955 change coincided with an addition of new staff and new responsibilities. In addition to previously described activities, INFO was given the following responsibilities:

• providing public relations services for the new International Finance Corporation (IFC);

• publishing the Bank's Annual Report;

• maintaining regular relations with the media;

• arranging and publicizing speaking engagements for the Bank's Executive Directors, managers and staff, and assisting in writing speeches and scripts;

• maintaining a films and photograph library on the Bank and its development work;

• and clearing all materials proposed for publication by staff members.

INFO continued to report to Vice President Garner until his retirement from the Bank in 1956. Over the next decade INFO reported to: Vice President W.A.B. Iliff (1956-1962); Vice President Geoffrey M. Wilson (1962-1966); and Vice President and Chairman of the Loan Committee, J. Burke Knapp (1966-1967).

1967-1973

In 1967 the Office of Information reported to the Technical Assistance and Liaison Department's (TAL) successor, Development Services Department (DSD; see below for more detail on these two units). That same year William Clark replaced Harold Graves as the Office's Director.

The following year the Office was renamed the Information and Public Affairs Department (IPA). At the same time, divisions were created within the Department: Public Affairs Division (IPAPA); Afro-Asian Division (IPAAA, renamed the Africa, Middle East and Asia Division [IPAAM] in 1969); IFC Information Services (IPAFC); and the European Information Services Division (part of the European Office). In 1968, the Department's responsibilities included:

• monitoring and analyzing outside events and opinion with regard to the Bank's operations;

• preparing and distributing news announcements, brochures, reports, speeches and other items on subjects relating to the Bank Group's activities; .

• maintaining relations with information media, academic institutions, business organizations, public affairs groups and other bodies;

• organizing speaking programs and information conferences;

• commissioning, obtaining and arranging for the outside use of films, photographs and radio tapes dealing with the Bank Group's activities;

• supervising the production and distribution of books published by the Bank Group;

• and maintaining an internal communications programaimed at keeping Bank staff informed of significant events and developments inside the Bank.

In January 1970 the IPA was moved out of the DSD and began reporting directly to the Office of the President (EXC). At the same time the Public Affairs Division (IPAPA) was terminated and, early the next year, an Editorial Division (IPAED) was created. IPAED's primarily responsibility was to handle the production of the Annual Report as well as the semi-regular publication "Policies and Operations" and the in-house publication, "Bank Notes". Note that "Bank Notes" was the successor to "International Bank Notes". The latter had been published by the Bank's Personnel Division since 1946.

1973-1981

In 1973, a major organizational change occurred with respect to the IPA and the aforementioned Development Services Department (DSD). A new External Affairs Staff (ERS) complex was created that was composed of the IPA, the Economic Development Institute (EDI), the European Office (EUR), and the DSD, which was renamed the International Relations Department (IRD). William Clark was named Director, External Affairs (DER); Lars J. Lind served briefly as Clark's replacement as Director of IPA before John E. Merriam became the new permanent Director. The following year, in 1974, ERS was elevated to the status of Vice Presidency (EXTVP) and William Clark was promoted to Vice President, External Affairs (VPE).

IPA and IRD would reside in the same Vice Presidency together until 1987. IRD had its origin in the Technical Assistance and Liaison Staff unit (1946-1961) and the Development Services Department (1961-1973); the latter was formed when the Technical Assistance and Liaison Staff (TAL) unit was combined with the Economic Development Institute (EDI), although EDI was removed from DSD soon after in 1964.

As of 1971, functions of the DSD included:

• coordinating technical assistance and formulating policies and procedures for the administration of such assistance in conjunction with the operating departments;

• establishing and maintaining formal relationships and working arrangements with Part I countries and other intergovernmental organizations, including the UN and its specialized agencies. Note that liaison with the UN was the responsibility of DSD's Special Representative to the UN, a position created in 1964 as a result of increased liaison activities with UN organizations and the Bank's expansion into agriculture and education project lending;

• and conducting studies and proposing policies on questions ofgeneral concern to the Bank as assigned by the Bank President.

Prior to its inclusion in the new ERS, DSD also briefly included an Office for a Special Representative for Inter-American Organizations from 1970 to 1972 (at which point it was moved to the Front Office of the Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean [LCNVP]). DSD also included the Secretariat of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) from 1971 to 1973 (at which point it briefly reported to the Director, External Affairs before being reorganized into the Agriculture and Rural Development Department [AGP]). In 1973, the Bank's Economic Development Institute (EDI) began to report to IRD. The following year, however, EDI began reporting directly to the new EXTVP.

Between 1973 and 1982, the Information and Public Affairs Department (IPA) underwent only a few minor divisional changes. In 1973, the Africa, Middle East and Asia Division (IPAAM) was terminated and its functions were transferred to the re-established Public Relations Division (IPAPA), which consequently assumed responsibility for communications activities in all Part II countries. Further, an Audio-Visual Division (IPAAV) was opened to handle contacts with broadcasters and photographers, maintain a library of audio-visual materials documenting Bank projects, and provide technical support for audio-visual equipment to the rest of the Bank.

That same year, the IFC Information Services Division (IPAFC) was transferred out of the Department to the IFC Executive Director, External Relations. In late 1975, a Professional and Technical Publications Unit (IPAPT) was established to take on the administration of the Bank's ever-growing professional and technical publications program, which included the publication of country economic reports, sector reports, staff papers and books. And in early 1979, a News Unit (IPANS) was established in the Front Office of the Director, IPA; the Unit would later be upgraded to the Press and Information Office (IPAPI).

In 1978, the Bank's liaison activities with UN agencies in Europe were delegated to a newly established Geneva Office (IRDGO), staffed by a World Bank Representative to the UN and two assistants. The Geneva Office was established to reduce the workload of the Special Representative to the UN in New York, who was previously responsible for representation at all UN agencies of interest to the World Bank. Like the New York Office, the Geneva Office reported to the Director of the International Relations Department (IRD) in EXT.

1981-1987

In 1981, as a result of a joint ERS/Organization Planning Department (OPD) review of the Bank's external affairs function, the Information and Public Affairs Department was reorganized more significantly. The Public Affairs Division (IPAPA) was strengthened through the addition of a Unit responsible for Part I countries and additional staff for Part II country activities. In addition, the publishing functions located in IPA's Editorial Division and Professional and Technical Publications Unit were transferred to the newly established Publications Department (PUB) which would exist alongside the IPA, IRD, and European Office within the EXTVP. Staff and budgetary resources of PUB were increased and an effort to develop a more comprehensive publications program was undertaken. The department initially consisted of: an Editorial Division (PUBED); a Professional and Technical Publications Unit (PUBPT); and a Publications and Distribution Unit (PUBPD).

An important change in the International Relations Department occurred as a result of the ERS/OPD review. To satisfy a growing demand for technical assistance by member countries and for technical assistance experts by the regions, the Technical Assistance Division (IRDTA) and the Advisory Planning Division (IRDPL) were terminated and their activities were transferred to the regional vice presidencies and to the Central Projects Staff (CPS). As a result, IRD's primary responsibility became liaison with the UN system and other international organizations.

The following year, Frank R. Vogl replaced John Merriam as Director of IPA. The same year saw a number of divisional changes occur within IPA, although there was minimal impact on the unit's functions.

A more significant change was that, effective 1 April 1983, EDI was removed from the EXTVP and assigned to the Vice President, Operations Policy (OPS). From this point on, EDI, later renamed the World Bank Institute (WBI), would never again be part of the external affairs complex of functions.

1987-1997

As part of the 1987-88 Bank-wide reorganization under President Barber Conable, the Information and Public Affairs Department (IPA) was dismantled as was the Office of the Vice President, External Affairs (EXTVP). A new External Affairs Department (EXT) was established effective 1 February 1988 with Francisco J. Aguirre-Sacasa appointed as Director. EXT reported to the Office of the Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Administration (EAASV) alongside such sizable units as the Internal Auditing Department (IAD), General Services Department (GSD), Information, Technical, and Facilities Department (ITF), and Office of the Vice President, Personnel (VPPER).

Within EXT, among other smaller divisional changes, a new Internal Communications Review Committee was created to review all matters of internal communications requiring management attention. However, the most significant change internal to the EXT complex was the termination of the International Relations Department, which had been responsible for maintaining relationships with international organizations, NGOs, and the UN, among others, and the transfer of its responsibilities to the newly established Strategic Planning and Review Department (SPR). However, this departure was only temporary, as the departments related to the former IRD were returned to EXT by 1990 following the termination of SPR.

EXT only reported to EAASV through 1989. The Department then reported to the Office of the Senior Vice President, Policy, Research and External Affairs (PRESV) on 1 January 1990 alongside SPR, the Vice President, Sector Policy and Research (PREVP), and the Vice President, Development Economics and Chief Economist (DECVP). As part of this minor reorganization, the Public Affairs Division (EXTPA) and the Media and Communications Division (EXTMC) were merged into the new Information and Public Affairs Division (EXTIP). At this point, Alexander Shakow was named Director of EXT.

In 1990 the reorganized External Affairs Department was responsible for:

• setting objectives and priorities, in conjunction with the EAASV, for the Bank's external affairs program;

• marshalling support for the Bank and its work in Part I and Part II countries;

• informing and maintaining regular contact with print and electronic media and with influential constituencies such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, parliaments and business groups;

• publishing and disseminating Bank research, policies, and views on development issues;

• gathering and feeding back information on outside events and opinions that bear on the Bank's operations;

• and supporting and coordinating activities of the decentralized External Affairs staff.

In October 1991, all Senior Vice Presidencies, including the Senior Vice President, Policy, Research and External Affairs (PRESV), were abolished. EXT was transferred to the Personnel and Administration Complex and the EXT Director started reporting to the new Vice President, Personnel and Administration (PAAVP). No functions were altered during this change and the Department's divisions remained essentially the same. In the Bank's 1992 Directory, the functional responsibilities of the Department's Information and Public Affairs Division included: media information; editor: "Banks World"/Weekly Bulletin; editor; "World Bank News"; and business, finance, and community relations. The International Economic Relations Division responsibilities included: non-governmental organizations, United Nations,O.E.C.D., and E.C. liaison; Small Grants Program; and Development Committee. The publication function continued within the Department in the new Office of the Publisher (EXTOP).

On 1 January 1993, the International Economic Affairs Division as well as the UN Special Representative in New York were again removed from EXT and, with them, functional responsibility for liaison with NGOs and international organizations. The two were moved into the new Operations Policy Department (OPR) in the Human Resources Development & Operations Policy Vice Presidency (HRO).

By March 1994, EXT had been removed from PAAVP and began to again report directly to the Office of the President. In the fall of the same year, Mark Malloch Brown took over as Director of EXT. The Department's functions remained relatively unchanged. At this point, it maintained Information and Public Affairs (EXTIP) and Europe (EXTEU) Divisions as well as a number of units: Distribution (EXTDI); Editorial and Production Services (EXTEP); Film (EXTFM); Marketing (EXTMT); and Publications (EXTPB). The London Office (EXTLO), Office of the Publisher (EXTOP), and Tokyo Public Affairs staff also reported to the EXT Director.

By January 1996 the Department was upgraded to a Vice Presidency, making Brown the Vice President of EXT. In April of the same year, the UN liaison function was returned to EXT in the form of the United Nations Affairs Office (EXTUN). Functions otherwise remained constant in the new VP with the exception of the creation of a small grants program. Functions related to rights and contracts and regional operations support were added in 1998.

1997-present

Bank President Jim Wolfensohn's Bank-wide reorganization of 1997-98 introduced a small number of managing directors through which Vice Presidents would report to the Office of the President. However, External Affairs reported to both Managing Director Sven Sandstrom and directly to the Office of the President. Despite the reporting structure and other changes in the Bank, the functions of the EXT Vice Presidency were not changed. This is reflected in the units that constituted EXTVP: Media; Part 1 Relations; Internal Communications; Regional Operations; Office of the Publisher; and the Special Representative, New York UN Office. The Vice President, Europe as well as the Resident Representative to the U.K. and the Special Representative, EU Institutions, also reported to EXT.

In the summer of 1999, Mats Karlsson became the Vice President of EXTVP. At some point between September 1999 and September 2000 the VP changed its name to emphasize the inclusion of the UN liaison activity, becoming the External Affairs and UN Affairs Vice Presidency.

In 2002, EXT partially regained responsibility for liaison with NGOs and international organizations. In 1997 the function had moved from the Operations Policy Department (OPR) to the Social Development Department's Non-Governmental Organization Division (SDVNG). In 2002, functional responsibility for coordinating the Bank's corporate engagement work with international and non-governmental organizations was returned to EXT. This was, however, limited to the external aspects of the function; SDVNG maintained responsibility for internal policy and planning work related to liaison. As part of this team-based approach, the two cooperated on activities such as dialogue and consultation, staff training, and knowledge management.

In 2002 Vinay K. Bhargava served briefly as acting VP of EXT. He was replaced by Ian A. Goldin in 2003. That same year saw achange in name to the VP that more accurately reflected its responsibilities: External Affairs, Communications, and United Nations Affairs. According to the 2003 Bank Directory its functional responsibilities now included: media relations and broadcast services; internal communications, including web and "Bank's World Today" publication; community outreach; UN relations; US relations; civil society (i.e. international and non-governmental organizations) relations; speaker's bureau (i.e. speechwriting for high-level Bank staff); World Bank InfoShop management; publications production services; publications marketing and rights; publications acquisitions and client relations; and resource management.

In 2007, Marwan Muasher replaced Goldin as head of EXTVP. He served in this position until 2010. Caroline Anstey acted as EXTVP for about a year before Cyril Muller assumed the position in November of 2011.

In 2013, EXTVP was part of a broader reorganization of the Bank's corporate support functions. The external relations of the IBRD and IDA managed by EXTVP were integrated with the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) Corporate Relations (CCR) to form the new External and Corporate Relations Vice Presidency (ECR). ECR formed one part of the new World Bank Group Integrated Services (WBGIS) along with the Human Resources Vice Presidency (HR) and the Information and Technology Solutions Vice Presidency (ITS). Together, the three VPs reported to Managing Director Caroline Anstey. Cyril Muller continued onas Vice President of the new unit.

Aside from the integration of IFC support, ECR's functions remained relatively unaltered. As of February 2015, the unit's website described its activities as follows: "ECR manages corporate communication and relationships with key stakeholders, including media, civil society, private sector, donor countries, and international organizations, as well as coordinating staff engagement and internal communication within the Group. ECR publishes the WBG's research and knowledgeproducts, and manages the Group's corporate identity and branding. ECR is also responsible for the Bank Group's corporate online and social media presence, and produces content for a wide variety of platforms, including print, broadcast, and web."

The Finance and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency (FPD) was one of three Vice Presidencies created during President Lewis Preston's reorganization of January 1, 1993. Following the abolishment of all Senior Vice Presidencies on December 1, 1991, Preston initiated a larger reorganization in 1993 that aligned the Bank's organization with the priority areas of its poverty reduction effort. The result was three new thematic vice presidencies: FPD; Human Resources Development and Operations Policy (HRO); and Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD). The vice presidencies were responsible for:

• providing operational support to the Regions by participating in Sector Operations Division (SOD) task teams, undertaking specialized assignments for the Regions, providing ad hoc advice, distilling lessons of operational experience, disseminating best practices, and defining sector and operational policies;

• assisting in identifying and addressing the Bank's skills mix and training needs;

• providing information and intellectual support to interested parties outside the Bank;

• liaising with the UN and other official and private organizations; and

• delivering complete products to the country directors in the 'clustered' subsectors, where the small number of expert staff can most efficiently be located in the central Vice Presidency.

At the time of its establishment, the FPD Vice Presidency had three departments: the Financial Sector Development Department (FSD); the Private Sector Development Department (PSD); and the Industry and Energy Department (IEN). FSD absorbed the functions and staff of the former Financial Policy and Systems Division of the Country Economics Department (CECFP) located in the Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC). The PSD absorbed the functions and staff of the former Public Sector Management and Private Sector Development Division of the Country Economics Department (CECPS), which was also previously located in DEC. IEN was transferred from the Sector and Operations PolicyVice Presidency (OPS). FPD departments were responsible for the following functions:

• preparing policies, guidelines, standards, handbooks and analytical tools relevant to the sector;

• identifying, codifying and disseminating best practices and lessons of experience, and evaluating weaknesses;

• providing advice to the Regions as needed;

• monitoring and tracking work in the sectors assigned in order to identify generic issues and identify, evaluate and influence trends and patterns;

• performing surveys of experience and practice within the Bank and elsewhere, and developing innovative approaches;

• participating in Bankwide efforts to assess skill requirements, and to upgrade skills through recruitment, training, orientation, seminars, newsletters, etc.;

• representing the Bank to external communities of interest; and

• maintaining an awareness of relevant external practices and viewpoints.

Jean-Francois Rischard assumed the role as Vice President for FPD in January 1993.

As part of the reorganization of the Bank in 1997, the FPDVP was terminated and replaced with the Finance, Private Sector Development and Infrastructure Network (FPSI). FPSI was created along with three other networks: the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Network (PREM); the Human Development Network (HDN); and the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Network (ESSD). The FSD, PSD, and IEN departments of FPDVP were transferred to FPSI, joining the new Transportation, Water, and Urban Development Department (TWU).