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In an effort to drive strong durable economic growth in its 191 member countries, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Ms Kristalina Georgieva has established an Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.
According to Georgieva, the world economic growth outlook is at its lowest in several years, as such, the Council established by the IMF will help its member states to create more conducive macro-economic and financial conditions for strong and durable economic growth driven by productivity enhancements.
Kristalina Georgieva held an inaugural meeting with the Advisory Council on Thursday, 27 March 2025, where she announced the members of the Council.
“The medium-term outlook for world economic growth is at its lowest in several decades. Much of the slowdown can be attributed to declining productivity growth.
The Council brings together a group of leading thinkers and practitioners in business, finance, academia, and policymaking to share their views and experiences on how macro-economic and financial policies can provide a supportive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity—key ingredients for a thriving private sector and strong economic growth,” said Georgieva.
The Council’s confirmed members thus far are:
Professor Ufuk Akcigit, Arnold C. Harberger Professor of Economics, University of Chicago.
HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America.
Mr. Marc Benioff, Chair, CEO, and Co-Founder of Salesforce.
Ms. Ana Botín, Executive Chair, Banco Santander.
Mr. Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Group.
Ms. Margherita Della Valle, Chief Executive, Vodafone Group.
Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, Founder and Chairman, Heirs Holdings.
Ms. Robert Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Vista Equity Partners.
Mr. Federico Sturzenegger, Argentine Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation.
The IMF Managing Director’s Advisory Council will meet approximately once every three months in structured discussions under Chatham House rules.
The discussions with the Council will inform the IMF’s analytical agenda and policy research aimed at promoting macro-economic and financial policies that are conducive to higher productivity growth and can support stronger medium-term economic prospects across its membership.
