IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath To Leave Her Position, Return To Harvard In January 2022

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva commended Gopinath as she is the first woman in the history of IMF to serve as a top economist for her critical analysis.

IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Gita Gopinath, Chief Economist at International Monetary Fund (IMF), will leave her post and return to Harvard University in January 2022, the IMF said on Tuesday.

According to a report in AFP, Harvard University has extended her leave of absence by one year so Gopinath could complete her three years at IMF. She heads the IMF's research department, which produces the quarterly World Economic Outlook report.

The next World Economic Outlook forecasts will come in January. Gopinath will remain at the IMF until then to oversee the release of the report, Reuters reported.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva commended Gopinath, the first woman in the history of IMF to serve as chief economist, for her critical analysis, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Gita's contribution to the Fund and our membership has been truly remarkable — quite simply, her impact on the IMF's work has been tremendous. We benefitted immensely from her sharp intellect and deep knowledge of international finance and macroeconomics as we navigate through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression," Georgieva was quoted by AFP in its report.

Georgieva further said that she played an important role in setting up the global coronavirus vaccination targets to combat pandemic, and also aided in setting up the Climate Change team within IMF to analyse and monitor optimal climate mitigation policies.

Gopinath was appointed chief economist at International Monetary Fund (IMF) in October 2018.

In its statement, the IMF said the recruitment process for her replacement will commence shortly.

(With inputs from AFP)