International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Experiences of inflation targeting
A new IMF paper examines the experiences of inflation targeting countries and presents a number of "stylised facts" and conclusions for policy makers.
Iraq's first Article IV for 25 years
The IMF has issued its first Article IV report on Iraq in 25 years. It reports that economic activity in Iraq has grown significantly in 2004, but that inflation has also been higher than expected at 37% for the year to June, compared with estimates of…
Zimbabwe teeters on the edge of Fund exit
Zimbabwe's deteriorating economy means it faces the risk of expulsion from the IMF, as a team from the Fund arrived on August 22 ahead of the September meeting at which a decision will be made.
Privatisation plans fall short - Serb central bank
The National Bank of Serbia warned the government against reneging on its IMF commitments, in a press release issued on August 19 which criticised the government's progress in privatising the oil industry.
Serb central bank upbeat on IMF warning
Radovan Jelasic, governor of Serbia's central bank, predicted on Tuesday 16 August that the government would react positively to warnings from the International Monetary Fund that its loan arrangement was in jeopardy.
Review of the IMF's Transparency Policy
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) discussed the IMF's transparency policy on 20 June 2005, based on a staff report entitled 'Review of the Fund's Transparency Policy'.
Unfinished business on sovereign debt
Contractual innovations have solved some of the problems in restructuring sovereign debt, but others remain – notably the role of the IMF. Report by Paul Brione.
Comment: Output losses from financial crises
Central bankers and regulators, like other professionals, naturally spend a lot of time on the technical details of their jobs. Sometimes it is well to be reminded of just how much is at stake in their policy decisions.
Comment: China points way to wider reform
Robert Pringle, editor of Central Banking, explains why China's recent moves underline the need for a wider reform of world money (extracts from an interview with the German newspaper, Handelsblatt published on 11 August).
IMF letter on the famine in Niger
In a letter published by The Independent newspaper on Friday 5 August, the IMF's Director of External Relations, Thomas Dawson, defended the Fund against accusations that the IMF contributed to the crisis in Niger.
IMF letter on prospects for ECB rate cut
In a letter published by the Financial Times on Tuesday 9 August, Michael Deppler of the IMF said international developments suggest that the worst may be over on growth in the eurozone but point to further upward pressure on headline inflation because…
IMF Paper: The use and abuse of Taylor Rules
The IMF Working Paper "The use and abuse of Taylor Rules: How precisely can we estimate them?" published on Tuesday 9 August draws attention to inconsistencies in estimating simple monetary policy rules and their implications for policy advice.
COMMENT BY CENTRALBANKNET
The fear that demand in many leading economies has been sustained only by a housing and real estate "bubble" is often seen as one of the biggest risks facing monetary policymakers.
IMF's Rato concludes Ukraine visit
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, issued a statement Friday 5 August at the conclusion of his visit to Kiev. The IMF chief said he was confident on Ukraine's economic outlook.
Progress toward regional integration in the WAEMU
The IMF Working Paper "Ten years after the CFA franc devaluation: Progress toward regional integration in the WAEMU" takes stock of the achievements toward integration in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) 10 years after the 1994…
IMF statement on G-8 proposal for debt relief
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, issued a statement after Wednesday's meeting to discuss the proposal for HIPC debt cancellation agreed by the G-8 Summit on 8 July.
IMF's Rato offers congratulations to Moreno
IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato congratulated Luis Alberto Moreno on Wednesday 27 July following his election as President of the Inter-American Development Bank. Rato said his diplomatic experience and leadership will benefit Latin America's…
IMF chief draws fire over style as leader
This article published on Wednesday 27 July suggests a whispering campaign has begun in Washington against IMF chief Rodrigo de Rato. They accuse Rato of being a hands-off manager who spends too much time abroad and eyes Spain's highest elected office,…
IMF's Rato says no case for sanctions on China
IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato said in an interview on Thursday 28 July that there is no case for trade retaliation against China because of its foreign exchange policy.
IMF's Rato saddened at Sharm el-Sheik bombings
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato issued a statement on Monday 25 July in reaction to the 23 July bombings in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt.
IMF's Krueger on Asia and the world economy
In the speech 'Mutual interdependence: Asia and the world economy' given on 30 June Anne Krueger of the International Monetary Fund said the experience of Korea, China and other Asian countries underlines the crucial importance trade plays in fostering…
The future of the International Monetary System
Is the international financial architecture debate over? Not according to leading experts gathered together in a new book which tries to identify the key trends that will fashion the international financial system in the years ahead.
IMF's Rato on the global economy
In the speech 'Challenges and perspectives of the global economy' given on 16 June Rodrigo de Rato of the IMF said these are relatively good times for the global economy.
Rato on the IMF in a changing world
In the speech 'The IMF in a changing world' given on 8 June, Rodrigo de Rato of the IMF said to maintain the IMF's effectiveness, it is essential for our membership to resolve the difficult issues that have been raised about our own governance.