Ms. Kawawaki is the Principal Director and Head Office of Markets Development and Public Private Partnership (OMDP) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and assumed office in Jan 2022. The Office was established to enhance the role of ADB in supporting and enabling governments of its developing members to secure greater private investment and generate economic growth in the region. OMDP provides transaction and market development services to developing member clients for private sector development (PSD). As of end 2023, OMDP had over 30 projects worth more than $7.1 billion under advisory services.
Previously, she was in the Deputy Director General role for Southeast Asia and Central West Asia Regional Departments. SERD covers the ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste with a portfolio of over $20 billion in loans/grant assistance and CWRD covers Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia and the Caucus countries. From large road and infrastructure projects to education and rural development projects, ADB has been a partner to developing member countries for over 56 years. ADB is working with our countries for immediate support for medical, social and economic needs as well as formulating for innovative green recovery. She oversaw $20 billion financing for COVID-1 Support. She also chairs the Digital Committee for ADB.
Prior to this position, Ms. Kawawaki was the Director, Energy Division of the Central and West Asia Department. Responsible for business development and implementation of $7 billion portfolio for the Central and West Asian countries as well as leading the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program’s Energy Sector Committee. Starting as Commercial Cofinancing Officer, she has been involved in reform of state owned enterprises in the transportation and energy sector. Ms. Kawawaki has been with ADB since 2000.
Prior to ADB, she was with the Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. for over a decade. As underwriter (equity and financial structuring of bonds and syndication manager), in Japan and Hong Kong, she led the documentation for UK electricity privatization, worked as transaction advisor for state owned enterprises, structured finance as well as was a syndication manager for equity and bond sales.