Birgit Hansl, a German national, is a Lead Economist for the Trade, Investment and Competitiveness Unit in the Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions Practice Group (EFI) Vice Presidency. Her expertise lies in macroeconomic topics of growth and fiscal management, institution building, and enabling private sector development. Her work experience spans over the World Bank programs in Asia, Africa and Europe, her most recent assignment being Country Manager for Thailand, where she led the expansion of the Thailand country program. Prior to this, she held roles including as Program Leader and Lead Economist for the Russian Federation, and for Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, as well as being the World Bank’s Country Economist for Northern Macedonia, Romania, Rwanda, Afghanistan and Nepal. Before joining the Bank in 2005 as a Young Professional, Birgit worked in academia, UNDP and other multilateral organizations. Birgit holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s Degree from the London School of Economics.