Gita Gopinath is the head of the Research Department of the International Monetary Fund. (file)
Washington:
International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economist Gita Gopinath will step down and return to Harvard University’s economics department in January, the fund announced on Tuesday.
Harvard extended Ms. Gopinath’s leave of absence by one year, allowing her to serve at the IMF for three years, the statement said.
She heads the IMF’s research division, which produces the quarterly World Economic Outlook Report along with forecasts for its GDP growth.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Ms Gopinath, who “made history” as the first woman to serve in a top economics position, for her critical analysis during the pandemic.
Georgieva said in a statement, “Gita’s contribution to the fund and to our membership is truly remarkable – quite simply, her influence on the work of the IMF has been tremendous.”
“We benefit immensely from his sharp wit and deep knowledge of international finance and macroeconomics as we navigate the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.”
Georgieva said she was instrumental in setting global vaccination targets to end the Covid-19 pandemic, and in setting up a climate change team inside the IMF to analyze optimal climate mitigation policies, among other things. helped.
Ms Gopinath, a dual US-Indian national, was appointed to her role in October 2018.
The IMF said the search for a replacement would begin shortly.
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