Pretoria - Governor of the Bank of Mexico, Agustin Carstens, who is one of the two candidates shortlisted for the top job at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is today meeting with the Executive Board of the Fund.
"The next step in the process for the new Managing Director is now underway. Both candidates, Carstens and Christine Lagarde, will be meeting with the Executive Board this week. Carstens is visiting the Fund on June 20-21, and will meet with the Board on June 21," A. Shakour Shaalan, dean of the board said on Monday.
Lagarde, who is the French Finance Minister, is the frontrunner in the race for the job that opened up as a result of the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn owing to sexual assault charges in the US. This comes after nominations for the managing director post opened at the fund in May with the nominations period closing on 10 June 2011.
The French finance minister will visit the fund on Wednesday and Thursday, with a meeting scheduled with the board on Thursday.
"During their informal meetings with the Board, each candidate will present their views on issues facing the Fund and the membership, and the Executive Directors will be able to exchange views with the candidates," said the board.
"The Board is scheduled to meet early next week to discuss the strengths of each candidate, with the aim of completing the selection process by June 30."
South Africa has for years been calling on the IMF to include leaders from developing nations. On the last day for countries to nominate their respective candidates, National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel announced that he was not vying for the job. He had been touted as a possible candidate for the job that has traditionally gone to a European.
