Martin Rama
Acting Country Director
The World Bank

Martin Rama has been the Lead Economist of the World Bank office in Hanoi since in September 2002. In this capacity, he oversees the analytical program of the World Bank in areas related to economic policy and poverty reduction. This includes the preparation of the annual Vietnam Development Reports, a flagship publication of the donor community. Martin Rama has also been the focal person in the preparation of annual Poverty Reduction Support Credits (PRSCs), which bring together a large number of donors in support of Vietnam's reform agenda, across a range of policy areas.

Martin Rama gained his Ph.D. in macroeconomics in France in 1985. Back to his home country Uruguay, he worked in the country's largest think tank, and became one of its directors. He was also part of the team that produced the main study for the trade liberalization program of Uruguay.

Prior to moving to Vietnam, Martin Rama spent ten years with the research department of the World Bank, mainly stationed in Washington DC, but providing support to a large number of developing countries. The main focus of his research was on labor issues, especially in the context of public sector restructuring. His research activities have led to numerous publications in academic journals.