"We learned that although his background is health but he has an adequate outlook. He has also been chief of a noted university and UN advisor," Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia welcomes the election of Jim Yong Kim as the new president of the World Bank to replace Robert Zoellick who will end his term next June.

"We welcome the new World Bank president`s election," Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said when commenting on Jim`s election here on Tuesday.

He said Jim Yong Kim has capacity and experience to hold the post although he does not have educational background as an economist.

"We learned that although his background is health but he has an adequate outlook. He has also been chief of a noted university and UN advisor," he said.

Agus said the US still plays a role in the election of World Bank president but Jim Yong Kim has proven his competence and capability to lead the multilateral institution.

"Kim who is supported by the US seemed in the selection process by executive directors of the representatives of countries in the World Bank could prove he has competence and prudence," he said.

The World Bank has chosen a US citizen physician of Korean origin as its chief on Monday.

The decision was not surprising but reaffirmed US control over the bank.

Kim (52) beat another candidate, Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who is supported by developing countries wishing to see the world lender to be led by a woman from them.

The nomination of Kim by the US has surprised many parties because of Kim`s unpopularity outside global health organizations and lack of experience in development economy.

The nomination has also broken the US tradition in the past 11 nominations of always naming a banker or a diplomat.

Born in South Korea and grown up in the US Kim earned his degrees in health and anthropology in Harvard University. He has rich experience in programs of eradication of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in poor countries.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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