Brazil says BRICS to back single WB pick

Brasilia: The BRICS emerging economic giants will join together to back a single candidate to lead the World Bank, Brazil's finance minister said on Friday -- though he did not say whom they would endorse.

With the Bank's directors slated to meet Monday to decide between a US favorite and two developing country challengers, Guido Mantega said Brazil, Russia, India and China will make their choice together -- though not mentioning South Africa, the group's fifth member.

"We will take a position together with the BRICS, making a common choice," Mantega said.

He said the four do not have a common position yet, but would reach one today.

The Bank's directors want to reach a consensus decision for a new president by the end of next week when the Bank and the International Monetary Fund hold their annual Spring Meetings.

The race is between the US nominee, Korean-American physician Jim Yong Kim; and economists Jose Antonio...