By Peter OBIORA InvestAdvocate

Lagos (InvestAdvocate)- Christine Lagarde, Managing Director (MD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Thursday announced the appointment of Louis Marc Ducharme as Director of its Department of Statistics.

The IMF said Ducharme’s appointment will be effective in June 2013 when he succeeds Adelheid Burgi-Schmelz, who resigned effective January 23, 2013.

“Louis Marc Ducharme brings to the IMF leadership experience from Statistics Canada–one of the world’s leading statistical agencies–where he has an outstanding record in the strategic planning and management of statistical and analytical programs.  This is complemented by extensive work in international technical assistance on statistical programs and organizations.  Louis Marc will lead the Fund’s work in serving our members and the public through the provision of world class statistical and economic information,” Lagarde said.

The IMF said  Ducharme, a national of Canada, is a 30-year veteran of Statistics Canada, most recently as Assistant Chief Statistician, managing a staff of close to 900. He previously held positions of increasing responsibility in the areas of economic statistics, service industries and prices, and has provided extensive technical assistance to a number of countries in Latin America. He holds a D. Phil. in economics and science policy from the U.K.’s University of Sussex, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in economics from Canada’s Université de Montréal.