DR. KENNETH KING, a former Cabinet Minister in the People's National Congress (PNC) government, has been appointed to a key ambassadorial posting in Europe, the Office of the President announced yesterday.

He is the new Permanent Representative to the European Union and Guyana's Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to the Kingdom of Belgium and Permanent Representative to the European Union.

He will be based in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, and replaces Dr. Havelock Brewster who held the Brussels post since 1993.

King was widely believed to have been among Opposition figures considered for Cabinet appointments when President Bharrat Jagdeo won the March 19 elections last year and announced he would adopt a policy of inclusion.

Leader of The United Force, Mr. Manzoor Nadir was appointed Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister in the new Cabinet.

King held the economic development portfolio under former President Desmond Hoyte.

He is to take up the Brussels appointment this month, the Office of the President said.

He has a distinguished academic and professional background, graduating from the University of London with a Bachelor's Degree in Law and Science and received his Doctorate in Philosophy from Oxford University.

As an economist, King held many important posts in various international organisations, including the Food and Agricultural Organisation, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the President said.