The former Trade Minister and Tourism & Creative Economy Minister during SBY's reign, Mari Elka Pangestu, is appointed as the Managing Director at the World Bank. (Image via Tribunnews.com)

Mari Elka Pangestu appointed as World Bank's Director

World Bank appointed Mari Elka Pangestu as the Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships, making her the second woman to sit in the post after Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the current Finance Minister. Her appointment will be effective on 1 March.

The announcement was made on World Bank’s website by the President of World Bank, David Malpass, on early Thursday.

Malpass hailed Mari’s ministerial experiences, noting her exceptional policy and management expertise”. Mari Elka Pangestu was appointed by the former President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), as Trade Minister (2004 – 2011) and Tourism and Creative Economy Minister (2011 – 2014).

On her Twitter account, Mari referred to the appointment as a “great honor” to collaborate with World Bank’s members to face urgent challenges. As the managing director, Mari will supervise the Global Practice Groups, the research group of the World Bank, and the external and corporate relations function.

Besides her ministerial experiences, Mari is hailed as an international expert in terms of global issues. Currently, she leads the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Washington as an advisor for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi.

Mari also thanked the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). The Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, revealed in October 2019 that Jokowi nominated Mari for the post at the World Bank.

Source: https://bit.ly/2FCXuuS