By DPA
Washington : A Chinese anti-poverty expert has been appointed as the World Bank’s next chief economist, the first person from a developing country to be named to the post.
Justin Lin is the founding director of an economic research centre at Beijing University and holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago. He was chosen after a global talent search, the bank said Monday.
Lin will help the agency’s efforts to promote growth and investment in Africa, spread expertise between developing nations and support countries hit by high energy and farm prices, World Bank head Robert Zoellick said.
“As our first chief economist from a developing country and an expert on economic development and particularly agriculture, Justin Lin brings a unique set of skills and experience to the World Bank Group,” Zoellick said in a statement.
Lin’s posts in China include vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. A professor at Beijing University, he is known for work on economic and agricultural reforms as well as rural modernisation, the World Bank said.
He has taught in Hong Kong, the US and Australia.
Lin is due to take up his post May 31. He will replace former chief economist Francois Bourgignon of France, who retired last year.