India has invested nearly half a trillion dollars in its infrastructure over the last decade, but finding the funding for mega-projects is only half the challenge. The head of one of the country’s leading infrastructure finance companies explains.
IMF board of Directors approved a package of proposals to help developing countries finance the new Sustainable Development Goals. IMF’s Sean Nolan says the package will enhance the financial safety net for low income countries and fragile states.
Increasing trade can spur growth says Mari Pangestu of Jakarta’s center for Strategic and International Studies. In this podcast Pangestu talks about how efficient, open and fair regional trade agreements make for a healthier global trade environment.
The IMF recently published a study on the world’s water resource management challenges. Co-author Laure Redifer says Burkina Faso is an example of how efficient water resource management can improve a country’s economic prospects.
Study by IMF Staff suggests raising income levels of the poor and middle boosts overall economic growth. Co-authors Kalpana Kochhar and Era Dabla-Norris say the wealth of the rich is not trickling down.
As the United Nations prepares to adopt its 17 new Sustainable Development goals in September, Florencio Abad talks about how the Philippines and other countries might find the resources required to hit the targets.
Public debt is a normal part of a government’s finances, but too much debt can have serious consequences for a country. During a seminar at the IMF-World Bank Meetings, one former head of state, who left office with public finances in good standing, explains how her administration succeeded where others have so often failed. More at: http://www.imf.org/external/POS_meetings/SeminarDetails.aspx?SeminarId=41? Helen Clark, Administrator of UNDP
Two decades on from the genocide in which hundreds of thousands were slaughtered, the tiny east African state of Rwanda has been seeking a path to development and reconciliation. By Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance of Rwanda
Over the next decade and a half , the United Kingdom will pour hundreds of billions of dollars into transport, and other infrastructure projects. One of the country’s top experts in the field says good planning, and strong political are critical to success.
Mauricio Villafuerte , Chef de mission pour le Tchad dit que le pays a mener à bien de remarquables réformes économiques, ce qui lui a permis d’avoir accès à un allègement de la dette dans le cadre de l’initiative en faveur des pays pauvres très endettés (PPTE). Contributors: Mauricio Villafuerte : Chef de mission pour le Tchad, Département Afrique du FMI
Mauricio Villafuerte, IMF Mission Chief for Chad says the country has made some remarkable economic reforms since 2010, paving the way for US$1.1 billion in debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. Contributors: Mauricio Villafuerte : Mission Chief for Chad in the IMF’s African Department
Selon Céline Allard, du FMI, l’Afrique subsaharienne devrait, cette année encore, enregistrer de solides résultats économiques malgré la baisse des cours des produits de base, les projections laissant entrevoir un taux ce croissance de 4,5 % pour 2015.
IMF’s Céline Allard says sub-Saharan Africa is set for another year of solid performance despite declining commodities, with a projected growth rate of 4.5 percent for 2015.
More Than 1 billion people live in countries affected by fragility. Fragile states are often confronted with political instability or conflict, inadequate public services, and lack of economic opportunities. Jakkie Cilliers, Executive Director of the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, South Africa Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance of Rwanda Kaifala Marah, Minister of Finance and Economic Development in Sierra Leone
The International Monetary Fund expects the world’s economy to expand by 3.5 percent this year, but the economic picture differs across the world. The impact of the global financial crisis are still being felt.
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said policymakers around the world need to work together to strengthen global economic growth.
A former chairman of the UK's Financial Services Industry, Adair Turner, says there’s room for non-bank lending institutions, but thoughtful regulations need be put in place. By Lord Adair Turner: Senior Fellow at the Institute for New Economic Thinking.
Le FMI et la Banque des États de l’Afrique centrale (BEAC) organisent conjointement une conférence sur la croissance inclusive à Brazzaville, République du Congo, le 23 mars. le lien de la conférence: http://www.imf.org/external/french/np/seminars/2015/brazzaville/index.htm
The IMF and the Central bank of Central African states are co-hosting a conference on Inclusive Growth, in Congo Brazzaville on March 23rd. Link to the conference: http://www.imf.org/external/np/seminars/eng/2015/brazzaville/index.htm
More Rwandans are leaving their work on the farm to start small household businesses. By Alun H. Thomas: Senior economist in the IMF’s African Department
The International Labour Organization says while the demand for highly skilled jobs is on the rise, middle-class jobs are in sharp decline.
The Quest for Regional Integration in the East African Community lays out all aspects of the ongoing financial integration process for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.
Melanne Verveer, served as Ambassador-at-Large for global women’s issues under President Obama. She says more women in small and medium sized enterprises is a catalyst for growth.
The World Bank has labeled global pandemic one of the greatest risks facing the world today, but according to one economist, preventing such a disaster is only a matter of political will.
The IMF will provide grants totaling $100 million to the three countries worst hit by the Ebola epidemic. Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will use the funds to cover the cost of servicing their debt.
New report on low income countries helps strengthen IMF's monitoring framework.
A conversation with IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard, where he talks about the latest downward revisions to the World Economic Outlook. Even with a boost from falling oil prices, the WEO update shows global growth for 2015-16 at 3.5 and 3.7 percent.
Entretien avec OLIVIER BLANCHARD, économiste en chef du FMI, où il parle des dernières révisions à la baisse de la Perspective Économique Mondiale. La mise à jour montre la croissance mondiale pour 2015-16 à 3,5 et 3,7 pour cent.
The burning of fossil fuels comes with many costs. Millions of people die each year from the pollution it emits. This follow up to an earlier interview with an IMF economist explores the health risks posed by air pollution and some proposed solutions.
Strong economic growth helps keep people employed and healthy, but there’s a growing sense in many countries that only the wealthiest are reaping the benefits. Nobel laureate Michael Spence says inclusive growth is key to economic stability.
