Masood Ahmed brings to the position of director of external relations extensive experience gained in a range of senior positions in international finance and development.

There is not an alternative to the US as the engine for growth.

I mean, the world has already done a big, big effort to forget debt to countries heavily indebted and with low income. And that has given good chances to countries to get out of poverty.

We believe that the Federal Reserve has to carry on with a progressive increase in interest rates as a consequence of the American economy.

Oil prices have certainly become a threat for the world economy.

We have believed for many years, much earlier than anyone else was talking about this issue, that it was in the interest of China to evolve to a more flexible exchange rate system.

We also need a fund that can say 'no'.