Louis Kuijs Joins MF Global as Chief Economist for Asia

by MF Global Limited 21 Sep 06:44

Firm Enhances its Macro Research Offering with Addition of Former World Bank Senior Economist

HONG KONG & SINGAPORE, Sep 20, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) —

MF Global Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: MF), a broker-dealer providing trading and hedging solutions, today announced that Louis Kuijs has joined the firm as chief economist for Asia. The hire is in line with the firm’s ongoing transition into an investment bank and strengthens its global macro policy research offering in a region of rapid growth and change.

Based in Hong Kong, Mr. Kuijs is responsible for analyzing, forecasting and providing MF Global’s clients with insight on macroeconomic developments and key policy actions driving financial markets in the Asia Pacific region. His commentary will complement the analysis provided by MF Global’s U.S. chief economist, James O’Sullivan, who leads the firm’s macro and economic analysis in North America.

“Louis brings to MF Global a wealth of experience and understanding of the Greater China economy as well as policies driving financial markets in the region. His appointment will strengthen our existing global and regional research capabilities, commentary and thought-leading insights,” said Mike Blomfield, managing director of Asia Pacific, MF Global. “Louis’ macro analysis and expertise will further enhance the value of services we offer to our clients in Asia Pacific.”

Mr. Kuijs has 18 years of experience in macroeconomic analysis and policy work across different regions. He joins MF Global from the World Bank office in Beijing, where he was a senior economist for seven years. He coordinated the Bank’s macroeconomic work on China, which included analysis and policy dialogue with policymakers, academics and other experts. He was the main author of the World Bank’s China Quarterly Update and also led the Bank’s medium-term review of China’s 11th Five Year Plan.

Prior to his role at the World Bank, from 1997 to 2004, Mr. Kuijs worked as an economist at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., focusing on macro policy analysis and research. Earlier in his career, his work included macroeconomic forecasting and modeling on countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia at Oxford Economic Forecasting in the U.K.

Mr. Kuijs holds a Master of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics and an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Amsterdam.