This is the profile of Mari Elka Pangestu, former minister who became the President’s special envoy on trade issues for Prabowo’s cabinet

Mari Elka Pangestu(MI/ADAM DWI)

FORMER minister and economist Mari Elka Pangestu was appointed by President Prabowo Sugianto as the President’s Special Envoy for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

Mari’s position is regulated by Presidential Regulation Number 137 of 2024. Mari carries out special tasks in the field of trade that are given directly by the President, but outside the tasks that are covered in the organizational structure of ministries and other government agencies.

Mari Elka, who was born on October 23 1956, was appointed based on her background and experience as an economist, monetary expert and lecturer. As is known, Mari Elka has held several important positions in the academic and government world.

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From 2020 to March 2023, Mari Elka served as managing director of development policy and partnerships at the World Bank, because of her dedication and expertise in driving economic development.

He once served as Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy for the 2011-2014 period replacing Jero Wacik. Previously, Mari Elka also served as Minister of Trade from 2004-2011.

In the same period, Mari Elka became the Ad-Interim Minister of State for Cooperatives and SMEs in Indonesia from 1 October 2008 to 20 October 2009.

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Mari studied at the Australian National University and received a Bachelor and Master of Economics degree.

He later received a Doctorate from the University of California, Davis. He also received a Ph.D. in International Trade, Finance and Monetary Economics in the United States.

In the field of education, Mari serves as a professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia. His research and contributions in the fields of international trade and development economics have earned him recognition among academic circles at home and abroad.

The son of Indonesian economist, J. Panglaykim, is also active in various trade forums such as the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). (Ant/D-2)