High Representative Carlos Westendorp has appointed the Head of the Economic Department, Didier Fau, his Deputy for economic matters.
In the nomination letter, Westendorp wrote that the appointment reflected Fau’s “outstanding contributions toward establishing a sound market economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” In particular, the High Representative emphasized Fau’s “achievements in pursuing the goal of privatization.” In addition to privatisation matters, Fau’s responsibilities within the High Representative’s office also include co-ordination of reconstruction efforts, reorganisation of the public sector, macro-economic reform and transition to a market economy.
Fau, who holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering and a masters degree in public management, joined the OHR in September 1997. Previously, he gathered extensive experience in the region, heading the Department of Economy of the European Union Administration of Mostar from 1994 to 1996 under Mayor Koschnik, and leading the reconstruction efforts in Eastern Slavonia, Croatia, during the United Nations Transitional Administration of Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES), led by General Klein, from 1996 to 1997. Earlier, Fau worked and taught in the fields of nuclear technology, engineering, macro-economics and international management and accounting in France and the United States of America.
Fau is 39, a French national, and married with three children.