The government has appointed development economist and public policy expert Yanki Ukyab as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Investment Board Nepal (IBN).
A Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday made the decision.
After earning her master's degree in development economics from the University of Missouri in the United States, Yanki returned to Nepal and joined the Investment Board. She worked at the board for around six years, handling project financing responsibilities since nearly the beginning.
She then went to the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom to pursue a master's degree in public policy.
After completing her studies at Oxford, she joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She worked as a senior advisor for the UNDP in countries including Fiji and Cambodia.
Originally from Olangchunggola in Taplejung, Ukyab spent a long time in the United States for her studies and work.
A recommendation committee with Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle as its coordinator had recommended three names to the Cabinet for the appointment of the Investment Board CEO. From among those three, the Cabinet decided to appoint Ukyab.
The committee had recommended Ukyab, Manoj Paudel, and Suman Man Singh Basnet for the post.
The committee included National Planning Commission Vice-chairman Gunakar Bhatta and the prime minister’s good governance advisor Sudeep Dhakal as members.
The recommendation committee had called for applications for the post of Investment Board CEO on June 12. The application deadline was later extended until July 2. Out of the eight applicants, shortlisted candidates gave their presentations and interviews on July 23 and 24.
The tenure of the Investment Board's chief executive officer is four years.
According to the law, the prime minister serves as the chairperson of the board and the finance minister as the vice-chairperson. The chief executive officer also functions as the member-secretary of the board.
Previously, Radhesh Pant, Maha Prasad Adhikari, Sushil Bhatta, and Sushil Gyawali have served as the CEO of the board.
