World Bank Group reinforces its commitment to TN with modernisation of its global centre in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin with Wencai Zhang, Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of World Bank Group, inaugurating the global business centre in Chennai
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Tamil Nadu is India’s growth engine and the support of The World Bank’s in our future economic growth is crucial, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said on Tuesday.

The CM along with other World Bank officials and Central government authorities inaugurated the modernized global business centre (GBC) of World Bank Group (WBG) in Chennai. The modernisation of the Taramani facility comes in response to the anticipated growth and provides the facility with new collaboration zones and advanced digital infrastructure.

The company entered India and Chennai in 2002 with a formal launch of its offshore centre operations. In 2006, the global business centre in Taramani was inaugurated. Starting with a small team, it is now a team of over 1,500 and has emerged as a global strategic hub of WBG supporting over 130 country offices from here. It is the WBG’s largest centre outside of the US. 

“The institution has supported us with over $1 billion of support. In the future too, we are going to launch programs worth over $400 million. This includes the Tamil Nadu Women Employment and Safety Programme (WE-SAFE) programme among others,” the CM said.

Speaking at the event, Auguste Tano Kouamé, World Bank’s country director for India said that over 20 years ago, the institution decided on India and Chennai foray and since then “World Bank’s “growth has mirrored that of TN’s economic growth and Chennai as an investment destination.” TN is World Bank’s largest client in India with $1 bn allocated towards projects here, he added. 

Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan, who is also an IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, shared that he had a higher satisfaction in the growth of World Bank in India both as a former staff member of the Bank and having worked with both Tamil Nadu government and now in the Union government. “World Bank’s presence here is a catalyst to attract more offshore centres of MNCs to Chennai,” he added.

The Chennai GBC comprises of key functions of the financial institution including finance, procurement, budgeting, analytics, treasury, risk management, IT, administration, and others. It also handles information security needs with a team capable of blocking “800 hacking attempts every second,” the company noted at the event.

“The upgraded facility represents more than just an investment in infrastructure,” said Sunil Kumar, Center Head of the Chennai Global Business Center. “It signifies our long-term commitment to Chennai, our confidence in the potential of our outstanding staff, and our commitment to fostering a workplace that inspires excellence.”

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Published on June 10, 2025

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