IMF says global debt levels face ‘Great Election Year’ risk

IMF says global debt levels face ‘Great Election Year’ risk

The path towards sustainable government debt levels around the world is under threat this year from the sheer number of elections taking place, the IMF said Wednesday in a new report. “History suggests, and empirical evidence confirms, that governments tend to spend more and or tax less in election year,” Vitor Gaspar, the head of … Read more

Kristalina Georgieva selected for second term as IMF managing director

Kristalina Georgieva selected for second term as IMF managing director

The International Monetary Fund‘s executive board on Friday selected Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva to serve as managing director for a second five-year term, starting on Oct. 1 this year, the global lender said. “The Board commended Ms. Georgieva’s strong and agile leadership during her term, navigating a series of major global shocks,” it said in … Read more

IMF head projects slightly stronger global growth in 2024 and warns of potential long-term pitfalls

IMF head projects slightly stronger global growth in 2024 and warns of potential long-term pitfalls

Washington: Strong economic activity in the United States and emerging markets is projected to help drive global growth by about 3% this year, the International Monetary Fund’s chief said Thursday, below the annual historic average and a warning sign about potential lackluster performances through the 2020s. “Without a course correction, we are indeed heading for … Read more

China reaffirms financial support for Sri Lanka

China reaffirms financial support for Sri Lanka

This handout photo released by Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s Office on March 27, 2024 shows Sri Lanka’s PM Dinesh Gunawardena (left) with Chinese President Xi Jinping, before a meeting in Beijing. | Photo Credit: AFP China has said it would continue to support Sri Lanka, as the crisis-hit island nation’s Prime Minister on March 30 … Read more

India to IMF: Ensure Pakistan does not divert loans to foot its defence, third-country debt bills

India to IMF: Ensure Pakistan does not divert loans to foot its defence, third-country debt bills

Krishnamurthy Subramanian. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Taking a tough stance, India has batted for “stringent monitoring” of any emergency funds provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to its financially beleaguered neighbour Pakistan, stressing that such funds must not be redeployed towards defence bills or repayment of loans from other countries. India’s position was … Read more

Success of India grounded in pursuit of reforms over last years: IMF MD

Success of India grounded in pursuit of reforms over last years: IMF MD

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva | Photo Credit: REUTERS The economic success of India is grounded in the pursuit of reforms over the last years, Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva said on February 1 exuding confidence that it would achieve its goal of being a developed nation by … Read more

Govt, multilateral bank coffers don’t have trillions of dollars: World Bank chief Ajay Banga

Govt, multilateral bank coffers don’t have trillions of dollars: World Bank chief Ajay Banga

World Bank President Ajay Banga on Tuesday batted for removing barriers to private sector investment, saying it is key to tackling challenges before the global economy as neither the governments nor multilateral banks have trillions of dollars in their coffers. Speaking to World Economic Forum Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab in a podcast ahead … Read more

IMF’s second tranche finalisation to Sri Lanka in December: Central bank governor

IMF’s second tranche finalisation to Sri Lanka in December: Central bank governor

The second tranche of the USD 2.9 billion IMF bailout for cash-strapped Sri Lanka would be finalised within the next month, central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said on Friday. The government is expecting around USD 330 million as the second tranche of the USD 2.9 billion 4-year bailout, following the first one that was extended … Read more

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe presents budget; says economy not out of crisis yet

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe presents budget; says economy not out of crisis yet

A woman buys vegetables at a market, on the day President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the island nation’s Finance Minister, presents the annual budget in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on November 13, 2023. | Photo Credit: Reuters Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on November 13 presented his government’s 2024 budget, emphasising the need for tough … Read more

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman pitches for strong, quota-based IMF

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman pitches for strong, quota-based IMF

Marrakech: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday pitched for a strong, quota-based and adequately resourced International Monetary Fund (IMF) and emphasised that a coordinated response of the global community will foster multilateralism. In her remarks at the IMF Board of Governors meeting here on the theme of ‘Dialogue on Policy Challenges’, Sitharaman expressed concerns about … Read more