About Us

The Center of Geoeconomics for the Global South (COGGS) is committed to advancing inclusive, fair, and sustainable economic development across the Global South. Through thorough research, strategic insights, policy advocacy, and dialogue, COGGS aims to empower nations in the Global South to address complex geoeconomic challenges. Governed by a diverse board and supported by strategic partnerships and funding sources, COGGS is a crucial center for driving positive change and fostering a brighter future for the Global South and the world.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to equip nations in the Global South with the necessary tools and knowledge to overcome geoeconomic challenges, take advantage of the opportunities, and enhance their capacity.

Objectives

Our goal is that COGGS become a significant source of research, analysis, and policy recommendations, specifically aimed at enhancing the economic fundamentals and unlocking the vast potential of the Global South in an increasingly multipolar world.

Vision

Our vision is to establish a prominent institution that will contribute to shaping an inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic future for the Global South while participating in and influencing global economic policies and practices.

Our Team

The team includes leaders, policymakers, academics, and an Advisory Council of global economic experts, offering diverse expertise to address geoeconomic challenges.

Convenor

Mohammed Saqib

CEO, Bureau of Research on Industry & Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF) and India China Economic & Cultural Council (ICEC).

Mohammed Saqib, an economist educated in India and Canada, began his career as a researcher. His areas of specialisation are International Relations, Trade, FDI, Regional Cooperation, MSME, and Environment. His work area is SAARC, China, and the Middle East.

He has worked at renowned Indian think tanks, such as the Institute of Economic Growth, the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

Saqib has been a consultant to various government and international organisations, such as the World Bank, UNDP, UNCTAD, EU, ADB, Invest Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Govt. of India, SIDBI, and many others.

He is the founder and CEO of the Bureau of Research on Industry & Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF), a consulting company, and the Founder and Secretary General of the India China Economic & Cultural Council, a think tank that promotes economic and cultural cooperation between India and China.

Governing Board

Advisory Council

Aly El Hefny

Former Deputy Foreign Minister, Egypt

Aly El-Hefny is a seasoned Egyptian diplomat with extensive experience across continents. Currently, he serves as the Secretary General of the

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Anil Sooklal

Ambassador, former Sherpa, BRICS, South Africa

Dr Sookal held several positions in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. He previously served as Deputy Director-General of Asia and the…

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Anil Trigunayat

Former Ambassador of India, New Delhi

Ambassador Anil Trigunayat has been a career diplomat. He has served in the Indian Missions in Cote d’Ivoire, Bangladesh, Mongolia, USA, Russia, Sweden, Nigeria, Libya, Malta and Jordan.

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Atul Aneja

Senior Journalist, International and Security Affairs

Atul Aneja is a veteran journalist specializing in foreign affairs. He is the former Editor of India Narrative website, and Strategic Affairs Editor of the Hindu newspaper.

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Atul Kaushik

Former Bureaucrat and Fellow RIS, MEA

Atul Kaushik has worked in the Government of India for 35 years dealing with export promotion, bilateral trade policy with North America…

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Barabanov Oleg

Member of COGGS Advisory Council

He is currently the Program Director of the Valdai Discussion Club, a prominent Russian think tank. He graduated in history from Moscow…

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Christian Cardonna

Former Trade and Economy Minister, Malta

Christian Cardona is a highly accomplished and seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in leading organizations towards growth…

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Gangyi Wang

Ex. Chief Editor, Beijing Review, China

Gangyi Wang, senior fellow of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies. He served as president and editor-in-chief of Beijing Review…

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Jawad Al Anani

Former Deputy PM and Chief Royal Court, Jordan

Dr. Jawad Al Anani is a seasoned economist and politician. He has held several high-ranking and ministerial positions in the civil service…

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Nazem Al Qudsi

Former CEO, Invest AD, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Nazem Al Kudsi is a distinguished business and investment management leader with a profound track record in steering Sovereign Wealth…

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NISHA TANEJA

Professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi

ICRIER professor specializes in regional trade, advising governments and international organizations…

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Sanjay Kathuria

Former Chief Economist, The World Bank, Fellow, Stimson Centre, USA

Prof. Sanjay Kathuria is a pre-eminent thinker and commentator on economic development and integration…

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Wang Wen

Executive Dean, RDCY, Beijing, China

Dr. WANG Wen is the Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China (RDCY)…

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Zhao Chunghui

Former Chief Country Risk, China EXIM Bank, Beijing, China

Dr Zhao Changhui is Chief Scientist, Center for Country Risk Studies (CRS) based in Beijing; Lead Fellow, Ikinhoro…

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Aly El Hefny​

Former Deputy Foreign Minister, Egypt

Aly El-Hefny is a seasoned Egyptian diplomat with extensive experience across continents. Currently, he serves as the Secretary General of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, coordinating Asian affairs.

El-Hefny’s career highlights include serving as Deputy Foreign Minister for Africa and Assistant Foreign Minister for various regions including Asia, America, and Parliamentary affairs. He also held ambassadorial positions in China, Mongolia, Mexico, Belize, and Hungary.

His experience extends beyond ministry work. El-Hefny is the Deputy President of the Egyptian Chinese Friendship Association and Director of the Egypt/Africa Centre at the British University in Egypt.

Anil Sooklal

Ambassador, former Sherpa, BRICS, South Africa

Dr Sookal held several positions in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. He previously served as Deputy Director-General of Asia and the Middle East, Chief Director for North Africa, Acting Chief Director for United Nations Political and Global Security Affairs, and Head of the Department’s Parliamentary Office in Cape Town. He also coordinated the substance team of the UN World Conference Against Racism in 2001.

He was appointed Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg in April 2006 and completed his term of office in January 2012.

His previous foreign postings include being Counsellor (Political) at the South African Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva and at the South African High Commission in New Delhi, respectively.

During his tenure as Ambassador in Brussels, he served as Chair of the SADC Committee of Ambassadors (2008 – 2009), Chair of the Tripartite) SADC, EAC, COMESA) Committee of Ambassadors (2008 – 2009), Member of the Bureau of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors (2007), and Deputy Chair of the Sustainable Development Committee, ACP (2011).

Before joining the government in 1995, he followed an academic career, having held teaching positions at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of South Africa (UNISA) as a Lecture. During his academic career, he participated in over 20 international academic conferences and 40 national academic conferences. Dr Sooklal published more than 20 journal articles in monographs (both) local and international) and he served as the Editor of Nidan, University of Durban-Westville). He also served on the Journal of Religion editorial board in Southern Africa. He received several grants for post-graduate and post-doctoral research abroad from the Human Sciences Research Council and the De Beers Foundation.

He served on the SABC’s Religious Advisory Board from January to August 1995, when he resigned to take up his post at the SA Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

Ambassador Sooklal is a recipient of the following awards:

  • Adjunct Fellowship at RIS New Delhi
  • Fellowship in Human Rights (1993), United Nations Centre for Human Rights, Geneva
  • Internship in Human Rights, United Nations Centre for Human Rights, Geneva (Jul-Sep 1994)
  • Adjunct Professor of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China (July 2016)
  • Honorary Professor of Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana (December 2016)

Anil Trigunayat​

Former Ambassador of India, New Delhi

Ambassador Anil Trigunayat has been a career diplomat. He has served in the Indian Missions in Cote d’Ivoire, Bangladesh, Mongolia, USA, Russia, Sweden, Nigeria, Libya, Malta and Jordan. In the Ministry of External Affairs, he worked in the Economic, West Asia and North Africa, Gulf and Consular Divisions.

He also served as Director General/Joint Secretary for the Gulf & Haj Divisions in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. Thereafter, Mr. Trigunayat worked as Deputy Chief of Mission in the rank of Ambassador in the Embassy of India, Moscow

Prior to his superannuation in May 2016, he served as Ambassador of India to Jordan and Libya and High Commissioner to Malta (June 2012 – May 2016). 

He is a post Graduate in Physics from the Agra/Kumaon University and also studied Russian History, Culture and Language at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. As a visiting fellow he conducted research work on “WTO and Regional Trading Blocs” at the Oxford University.     

He is a member of the All India Management Association/Delhi Management Association as well as that of Oxford and Cambridge Society of India and Secretary of the Association of Indian Diplomats (former Ambassadors). He is also the Honorary Member of the International Trade Council, Brussels & Board Member of Peaceful Mind Foundation as well as Confederation of Education Excellence , New Delhi. He also serves on the Board of Advisers of BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Asia Africa Chamber of Commerce.

Presently ,Ambassador Trigunayat is  the President of MIICCIA Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (www.miiccia.com). He is the Distinguished Fellow at Vivekananda International Foundation (www.vifindia.org ) India and Adviser @ The Asian Institute of Diplomacy& International Affairs (www.aidiaasia.org) Kathmandu as well as Visiting Fellow @ Nepal Institute for International Cooperation & engagement ( www.niice.org.np) fmr Sr Adviser National Cooperatives Development Corporation ( www.ncdc.in) .In 2022 Govt appointed him on the Board of Directors of a mini Ratna WAPCOS.

He is a regular contributor and commentator on foreign and economic policy and education and interfaith Dialogue related issues.

As a Peace Ambassador, Mr. Trigunayat is closely associated with the Interfaith Dialogue , Peace and Harmony efforts in the Society especially through the Unity Dialogue by www.unity.earth 

He has published two books on West Asia and India which have been well received.

Amb Trigunayat  knows French, Russian and Spanish languages.

Atul Aneja​

Senior Journalist, International and Security Affairs

Atul Aneja is a veteran journalist specializing in foreign affairs. He is the former Editor of India Narrative website, and Strategic Affairs Editor of the Hindu newspaper.

For 17 years, he worked as an international journalist, specializing on China, West Asia, Eurasia and South Asia. Having been posted in Beijing as The Hindu’s Associate Editor (2014-20), he had the rare opportunity to observe up close China’s transition in the Xi-Jinping era, based on extensive field reporting across the length and breadth of that country, including two rare visits to Tibet.

Earlier as the West Asia correspondent for The Hindu, based in Bahrain and Dubai from August 2002-June 1,2014, Atul could live an international journalist’s dream by field reporting the twists and turns of the Arab Spring from Cairo, Benghazi and Tunis. Focusing on conflict zones, he reported the Lebanon war of July/August 2006 between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel from Beirut, Sidon and Damascus. Before that he covered the Iraq war after the Anglo-American

invasion of that country from Baghdad, Najaf, Kirkuk and Arbil in 2003-04. Atul cut his teeth in war reporting by covering the Kargil war (1999) from Kashmir, the situation in Afghanistan from Kabul, Almaty and Dushanbe soon after the9/11 attacks. He has frequently visited Iran since 1996.

Having an immersive feel of the ground situation across several geographies, Atul now wants to leverage his experiences to promote India’s interests as a civilizational state in China, Eurasia, Middle East, Southeast Asia and the Global South amid the emergence of a post-Covid world order in a multipolar setting. He has a M.Phil degree from the School of International Studies (Africa division), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Atul Kaushik

Former Bureaucrat and Fellow RIS, MEA

Atul Kaushik has worked in the Government of India for 35 years dealing with export promotion, bilateral trade policy with North America, multilateral trade policy, cabinet office, petroleum, environment and climate change, justice, and the Parliament. He has been India’s negotiator for dispute settlement and intellectual property rights at the WTO and climate change at the UNFCCC. He has served as Legal Officer and First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the WTO in Geneva. After retirement, he has been working on development cooperation including triangular cooperation with Indian, 

U.S., and German governments, and has been advising various government and non-government entities including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, including having served as the Vice-Chairman of the Committee for Advanced Trade Research of the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI).

On a sabbatical from the government, he delivered multiple development cooperation projects in Africa and trade capacity building of developing country Missions in Geneva. He has also delivered large scale projects of the government on ICT enablement of courts and access to justice.

He has co-edited a book entitled “Reflections from the Frontline: Developing Country Negotiators in the WTO”, published by Academic Foundation and another published by the Government of India entitled “Transforming India – Governance for Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, to which he also contributed a Chapter on India’s Commitment to Sustainable Development and Climate Change. He has contributed chapters in a dozen books, and several articles in various national and international journals.

Currently he steers the Global Development Centre (GDC) of Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), Global South Centre of Excellence (DAKSHIN) of the Government of India hosted at RIS, and is an Advisor at the Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic Fundamentals (BRIEF).

Dr. Oleg Barabanov

Member of COGGS Advisory Council

He is currently the Program Director of the Valdai Discussion Club, a prominent Russian think tank. He graduated in history from Moscow Lomonosov University in 1993, earned his first PhD in history in 1997, and completed another PhD Habilitation in Political Sciences in 2005. Barabanov served as a Senior Research Fellow at Russia’s Institute for Strategic Studies from 1997 to 2004 and has been a professor at the Moscow University of International Relations (MGIMO) since 2000, currently at the Eurasian Studies Institute. Appointed Program Director of the Valdai Discussion Club in 2014,

he focuses on global norms and values, international relations, and Russia’s engagement with Africa and the Global South. He holds an honorary professorship from the Russian Academy of Sciences (2015) and has authored six books and over 300 articles. Dr. Barabanov is also a regular commentator on international affairs for leading Russian TV channels.

Christian Cardonna

Former Trade and Economy Minister, Malta

Christian Cardona is a highly accomplished and seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in leading organizations towards growth, profitability, strategy and innovation.

As former Minister of the Economy he led teams through complex projects and corporate restructuring. Major projects involved inter alia manufacturing, industry, aviation, gaming, finance, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, logistics hubs, crafts villages, central business districts, business schemes for start-ups, Brexit taskforce, cooperatives, simplification of administration and family business legislation.

With over 2 Billion Euro in foreign direct investment, local investment and expansions, he achieved for Malta the fastest and strongest economic growth in the European Union creating more than 5000 FTEs in seven years.

Born in Malta on the 24th August 1972 to Anthony Cardona (university professor) and Antonia nee’ Buttigieg. He is married to Lesya nee’ Kuchma. He has four children.

Education: St. Aloysius College, Junior Lyceum, University of Malta and the International Maritime Law Institute. Graduated as a Notary Publlic, Doctorate Of Laws and a specialised Lawyer with the United Nations Institute (IMLI) of Maritime Law and International Trade.

Politics: Christian Cardona was a member of Parliament (Labour Party) from 1996 to 2020 and was elected in all Elections he contested : 1996, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2017. He was also Deputy Leader for the Labour Party between 2016 and 2020.
Hobbies : gym, sports and reading

Wang Gangyi

Ex. Chief Editor, Beijing Review, China

Gangyi Wang, senior fellow of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies. He served as president and editor-in-chief of Beijing Review, an English language weekly magazine, from 2002 to 2018. He was a council member of the China-Africa Friendship Association from 2006 to 2016 and of the China-India Friendship Association from 2007 to 2017.

Jawad Al Anani

Former Deputy PM and Chief Royal Court, Jordan

Dr. Jawad Al Anani is a seasoned economist and politician. He has held several high-ranking and ministerial positions in the civil service over the years and has served, among others, as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Labour, Minister of Industry and Trade, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Foreign Affairs. In addition, he was appointed as president of the Royal Court and as the president of the Economic and Social Council.

Furthermore, he served as a member of the Senate in more than one session. During his impressive career,

he played a vital role in the creation of the Social Security Corporation. Dr. Al Anani holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Georgia, and a master’s degree from University of Vanderbilt.

Dr. Jawad A. Anani was also the last Chief of the Royal Court under the late King Hussein. Having served as minister in several cabinets of the Jordanian government, he was a senior member of the Jordanian delegation to the Middle East peace process.

He has also helped establish numerous academic institutions in Jordan, including PSUT, and the technical university of Aqaba, and has chaired numerous private institutions and helped them resurrect themselves from financial woes into prominence and stability; these include the Petra bank, as well as LaFarge company in Jordan.

Nazem Al Qudsi

Former CEO, Invest AD, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Nazem Al Kudsi is a distinguished business and investment management leader with a profound track record in steering Sovereign Wealth Funds, Private sector financial institutions and Nonprofit institutions through complex financial/regulatory landscapes. His broad expertise spans across pivotal roles in global investment, financial restructuring, and strategic management in diverse markets including the Middle East, US, Europe, China, Japan, Russia, and Africa.

Professional Overview:

Chief Executive Officer, Invest AD – Abu Dhabi Investment Company (UAE, 2008 – 2015): Nazem orchestrated a comprehensive overhaul of this sovereign wealth fund, realigning the entity to compete on a global scale. He was instrumental in diversifying the asset base, enhancing governance standards, and repositioning the fund for international growth.

Senior Advisor, Emirates International Investment Company (UAE, 2015 – 2016): In this role, he advised on the strategic restructuring of the company, focusing on debt restructuring, asset management, and private equity to meet performance objectives.
Chief Investment Officer, National Bank of Abu Dhabi – Asset Management Group (UAE, 2006 – 2008): Nazem directed all aspects of asset management, transitioning the focus from retail to institutional investors, and significantly improving the fund’s performance and product offerings.

Senior Fund Manager, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (USA and UAE, 1995 – 2006): He managed large equity funds, establishing primary research capabilities in high-tech industries and advising on strategic global asset allocations.
Board and Advisory Roles:

Board Member at various organizations including Emirates International Investment Company, Abu Dhabi National Property Company, and National Bank of Abu Dhabi Fund Managers (2007-2016): These roles underscored his ability to provide strategic guidance and oversight across a range of business and investment sectors.

Chairman, Sterling Heights Corporate Services (UAE, 2017 – Present): Leads the firm specializing in corporate incorporation and financial services in offshore jurisdictions and the UAE.

Chairman, Airport International Group (Jordan, 2009-2014): Oversaw strategic and operational leadership during significant organizational growth, building the new Queen Alia International Airport.

Advisory Board Member, BAPS Abu Dhabi Hindu Temple (UAE, 2018 – Present): Provides strategic counsel reflecting his broad knowledge of the UAE government.
Co-Chairman, Harrisburg University Advisory Board (UAE, 2021- Present): Co-leads the board, offering strategic insights into UAE.

Nazem’s extensive experience, marked by his robust leadership in significant restructuring initiatives and his strategic oversight in numerous board roles, showcases his capability to drive business transformation and operational excellence in highly competitive and dynamic environments. His educational background as a Chartered Financial Analyst with an MBA from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from American University further solidifies his expert standing in the global financial sector.

Nisha Taneja

Professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi

Professor at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi, a leading think tank in India engaged in policy-oriented research.

Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Trade and Investment (2020-22; 2023-24)

Focus of research on regional trade in South Asia and East Asia on issues related to tariffs, informal trade, services, investment, non-tariff measures, trade facilitation, supply chains and logistics.

International Consultant with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

Served on various committees set up by the Government of India, and appointed advisor to the Government of Nepal on transshipment.

Sanjay Kathuria

Former Chief Economist, The World Bank, Fellow, Stimson Centre, USA

Prof. Sanjay Kathuria is a pre-eminent thinker and commentator on economic development and integration in South Asia. His research interests and writings have focused on South Asia, economic growth and development, trade and globalization, regional integration, the economics of small states, and gender issues, among others. 

He is co-founder of the Trade Sentinel, a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress in New Delhi, an Adjunct Professor at 

Georgetown University and Ashoka University, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore, and a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center. 

Earlier, he worked for over 27 years at the World Bank, and for a decade at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations in New Delhi.

He holds a doctorate in economics from Oxford University and a master’s in economics from the Delhi School of Economics.

Wang Wen

Executive Dean, RDCY, Beijing, China

Dr. WANG Wen is the Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China (RDCY). He is also the Deputy Dean of Silk Road School, Distinguished Professor, Executive Director of China-US People-to-People Exchange Research Center at Renmin University of China. He works as the Secretary-General of the Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking, a Research Fellow of the Financial Research Center of the Counsellor Office of the State Council, and also serves as a visiting professor at more than 10 universities around the world.

Dr. WANG has led the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China (RDCY) for 11 years and remains the youngest principal among Chinese major think tanks. He used to be a Chief Op-eds Editor and Editorial Writer at Global Times, and won the China News Awards in 2011. He is the author of more than 30 books, among which “Profound Changes Unseen in Centuries”, “Great Power’s Long March Road: The views of China’s rejuvenation and the future of the world after hundred countries’ visit”, etc. are all best-sellers.

Dr. WANG has visited nearly 100 countries (including South Pole) and conducted extensive researches and field investigations. Many of his research reports have been affirmed with the instructions or comments by the CPC and state leaders of China. Besides, he is an advisory consultant for several Chinese important ministries and commissions and has won many honors such as “2014 Top Ten Figures of Chinese Think Tank”, “2015 China Reform and Development Pioneers”, “2016 Influential Figures of Chinese Think Tank”, “Advanced Individual in Decision-making and Consultation for the Construction of National High-end Think Tanks” by Renmin University of China from 2019 to 2023 successively, and one of “the leading talents in philosophy and social sciences in the National ‘Ten Thousand People Plan’ ” in 2020, etc. In 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a symposium on philosophy and social science, and Dr. Wang Wen was one of the ten scholars who spoke.

Zhao Chunghui

Former Chief Country Risk, China EXIM Bank, Beijing, China

Dr Zhao Changhui is Chief Scientist, Center for Country Risk Studies (CRS) based in Beijing; Lead Fellow, Ikinhoro (Indonesia) Foundation for International Studies (IFIS) located in Macau.

Dr Zhao, a founding staff and veteran manager at The Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank or CEXIM for short), specializing in China’s national security policy, has become a trained and time-honored multidimensional economist and strategic thinker during the 29 years of working at the institution.

He is a career banker and his rich expertise lies in geoeconomics of natural resources, energy geopolitics, international monetary regime, international security, global economy, world politics, environment and climate impact, sci-tech trends, all-region and all-country studies of the 193 UN members, country risk assessment in particular as a life-long profession, and, naturally, many fields of central, commercial and policy banking.

Milestone achievements include but far from being limited to: Designer of China’s present-day strategy toward Africa; inventor of Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC); founder, longest throughout practitioner – 20 years nonstop between July 1st, 2003 and March 1st, 2023 – of country risk management in China; conceiver of the permanent standby China International Rescue and, most recently, coiner of the conception of “community of shared future”.

His Ph.D. discipline in history of economics thought at Renmin University of China was completed in 2004. An M.A. candidate in economics of finance with Beijing Normal University in 2001, he received his B.A. in economics majoring in international finance from Tianjin University of Economics and Finance in 1984.

Prior to his long and distinguished service as an Eximbanker since May 1994, he was in charge of North American and Oceanian affairs with Bank of China during 1986–1994, starting at People’s Bank of China as a researcher in Shanghai and an interpreter and protocol officer at headquarters in Beijing respectively as of July 1984.

His expatriate experience embraced a three-year representative of China Eximbank’s Representative Office for Central and West Africa, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from April 1996 to April 1999; a six-month visitation program with ANZ Group in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia between October 1988 and April 1989; and a three-month training course at Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto, Canada, June-August 1993.