Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Rajiv Shah to be Sworn In as USAID Chief

   VOA News 07 January 2010
   Dr. Rajiv Shah

Photo: AP

   Dr. Rajiv Shah (file photo)

   American  Rajiv  Shah  is  set to be sworn in as chief of the top U.S.
   foreign  aid  office,  the  United  States  Agency  for  International
   Development, USAID.
   U.S.  Secretary  of  State Hillary Clinton will administer the oath of
   office to Shah Thursday in Washington.
   U.S.  President  Barack Obama nominated the 36-year-old doctor for the
   position, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination last month.
   Shah  formerly worked as the director of agricultural development with
   the  Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, and later served in a top post
   at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
   Shah  will  oversee  a  staff  of  about  8,000  employees and will be
   responsible  for strengthening USAID, an agency that administers about
   $20  billion  in annual assistance for development projects around the
   world.
   The  Obama administration has plans to expand the agency and to double
   its budget in coming years, with a particular focus on Afghanistan.

   Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.

.