New IMF chief set for visit to Asia

New IMF chief set for visit to Asia

WASHINGTON: International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Rodrigo Rato heads for Asia next week in his first official trip since taking the helm of the fund.

His itinerary includes Japan and China. The respected former Spanish finance and economy minister, who took over as managing director of the IMF this month for a five-year term, will be in Tokyo June 21-22 and in Beijing the following two days.

He will also visit Southeast Asia's financial hub Singapore on June 25 and the next day go to Vietnam.

Rato will meet with leaders and senior government officials of these countries and receive feedback on the IMF's effectiveness in dealing with the challenges facing the global economy, an IMF statement said. -- AFP