He said Singapore commands a very high level of respect in global development policy because of its rich history of development experience and its efforts to share resources to support other nations around the globe.
He added that the Bank Group's presence in Singapore allows it to leverage that experience to help deliver effective development results for the world's poor people.
And it's working closely with Singapore, not only in infrastructure but also urban issues, information communication technologies, in Asia and beyond through the new World Bank hub.
Singapore was officially named last September as the site of a new World Bank Group-Singapore hub for knowledge and financial activities for Asia and beyond.
Mr Zoellick described the World Bank Group-Singapore Hub as a significant advance in development innovation.
He said the Bank Group is looking to tap into Singapore's strength in technical and vocation education and training and is anchoring its Competitive Industries unit in Singapore.
It's also expanding its support to governments in public private partnership issues and is partnering with the Singapore-based private sector to mobilise finance for infrastructure.
In partnership with Singapore agencies, the Bank's Singapore-based group recently completed an innovative project in Chongqing, China, involving securitisation of future toll road revenues.
The Bank Group is also supporting projects in Indonesia and Vietnam.
Mr Zoellick made these points in a World Bank statement on Monday, ahead of his visit to Singapore this week to help launch an initiative to save the world's oceans.
The statement said Mr Zoellick will present a new initiative for greater global cooperation to restore oceans to health, when he delivers a keynote address to The Economist magazine's World Oceans Summit on Friday.
He'll meet leading figures of major corporations from Singapore and Asia to explore innovative ways for the business community to support the Global Tiger Initiative, with the goal of protecting the world's declining numbers of wild tigers.
"As a centre of international trade and finance, surrounded by tiger countries, Singapore is the right place to discuss how economic development can be a force for protecting tigers and their landscapes. We need a broad coalition to protect biodiversity and ensure the long-term success of saving the world's tigers," Mr Zoellick said in the statement.
During his visit, Mr Zoellick will meet Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, as well as former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Their talks are expected to focus on global economic issues, as well as the Bank's move to significantly boost its presence in the country.
- CNA/cc
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