Recent appointments

Danilo Piaggesi

Danilo Piaggesi has been named chief of the Information Technology for Development Division within the IDB’s Sustainable Development Department. An Italian national, Piaggesi holds a doctorate degree in physics from the University of Rome. He most recently worked as a consultant to the IDB on information technology issues.

IDB supports Peruvian democratic transition

Peruvian Finance Minister Javier Silva Ruete and Inter-American Development Bank Executive Vice President K. Burke Dillon in May signed documents for a $250 million sector loan that will provide critical support to Peruvian reform efforts.

The financing is part of a $500 million, long-term effort to support good governance, transparency, judicial reform, and protection of social expenditures. The operation was undertaken within the framework of a request by the heads of state who attended the 2001 Summit of the Americas, in Quebec, to make more financing available to support democracy, transparency, and participation by civil society in government (See press release at right for details).

IDB to accept nominations for microenterprise awards

As it has done annually since 1999, the Inter-American Development Bank will hold a contest for organizations that excel in their support for microentrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The competition for the Inter-American Awards for Microenterprise Development will be open to regulated financial institutions, nonregulated institutions involved in microlending and organizations that provide business development services for microentrepreneurs. A special category of these nonmonetary prizes recognizes social entrepreneurs, outstanding individuals who successfully combine a strong social commitment with sound business practices in the promotion of microenterprise and community development.

This year’s awards ceremony will take place on Nov. 15 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, during the Nov. 14-16 IV Inter-American Forum on Microenterprise.

Nomination and application forms for the awards can be found at the following web address: www.iadb.org/sds/MIC/site_158_e.htm. The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2001. Completed forms should be sent by e-mail to micawards@iadb.org, or by fax to (202) 623-2307/(202) 312-4134, or by mail to IDB country offices in Latin America and the Caribbean or to the following address:

The Inter-American Development Bank
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Division Inter-American Awards
1300 New York Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20577

Date posted: June 2001