I am an economic policy practitioner, working with governments, international organizations, and the private sector on policies and projects to boost trade, growth, jobs and inclusion. Throughout my career, I have advised and supported the policy makers of multiple countries, at the highest levels of government, from fragile states to high-income economies in multiple regions, including Asia, Europe and Africa.
Experience
Currently, I am a Vice Chairman of the Policy Committee, and the International Spokeperson for the ruling Democratic Party of the Republic of Korea.
Until February 2020, I was with the World Bank's Senior Country Economist for China where I managed projects on fiscal policies and economic reforms, and lead policy dialogues with the government in the areas of trade, FDI, macro-fiscal reforms and digital economy.
Previously, with the World Bank, I worked as a Senior Economist with the Office of Chief Economist, Africa Region, where I produced a policy report on the Future of Work in Africa, which has been downloaded more than 5,000 times, and cited in a number of media outlets. I also conducted research on Digital Economy and Global Value Chains issues in Africa.
Prior to that, with the World Bank’s Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Global Practice, Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, I advised multiple transitional economies at the highest government level on designing and evaluating their economic policies for integration, regulatory reforms and growth, and I managed investment and policy support projects.
With African Development, I worked as a country economist for Egypt throughout the 2011 Arab Spring where I coordinated international development partners’ support for the country's transition and monitored macroeconomic trends.
I wrote a book, Comparative studies of export and industrial policies in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and South Korea. I also managed large infrastructure and PPP projects for the sub-Saharan African countries. I joined the AfDB as a Young Professional and as the first South Korean staffer of the AfDB since 1982 when Korea became a member.
With Samsung Electronics, I oversaw the implementation of large telecommunication infrastructure projects in China and ran a local post in Hanoi, Vietnam. In fact, I was one of the first Samsung staff working on telecommunication sector in Vietnam, which has now become the largest export sector of the country. I worked as a liaison with the major telecom operators and governments, and analyzed the ICT regulation and licensing policies of multiple governments.
Research Achievements
While working, I wrote applied research studies on firms, R&D policies, innovation, productivity, trade, foreign direct investment, global value chains, industrial organization and regulation of telecom infrastructure services. My publications are listed in my CV. My work has been cited in scholarly articles and a number of media. I frequently speak and participate at conferences and seminars. As a Teaching Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, I taught courses on econometrics and finance in their Master in Public Policy program. As a Research Associate, I currently advise Oxford's Technology and Management Center for Development (TMCD) on its interdisciplinary research agenda. I hold a PhD from Oxford and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and International Development (MPA/ID) from Harvard Kennedy School.
I am a native Korean speaker, and fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese, and conversational-level French.
최지은TV (JieunchoiTV)