WASHINGTON - International Monetary Fund managing director Horst Koehler will visit Malaysia, Thailand and China in early September to discuss global and regional economic issues, announced the IMF.

Koehler will meet with senior officials and participate in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) finance ministers' meeting in Phuket, Thailand on Sept 4-5, according to an IMF statement.

According to the IMF, Koehler will "exchange perspectives on critical issues facing the global economy; discuss challenges confronting the region; and reinforce the IMF's continued engagement with Asia."

The IMF statement said Koehler is interested in the views of Asian countries regarding various regional cooperation initiatives as well as the Fund's ongoing work to reinforce global economic and financial stability.

The statement did not provide a detailed itinerary for the Asian tour. - AFP