August 08

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers... Minority Rights Group International

Poverty World Bank IMF Trackbacks (0)

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers: failing minorities and indigenous peoples

When they were first introduced more than a decade ago, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) were roundly welcomed. PRSPs were initiated in 1999 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank for the eradication of poverty in Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) and other low-income countries.

Supported by the United Nations (UN), donor governments and civil society alike, they signalled a much greater role for those countries’ civil society organizations and community representatives in policymaking. Symbolically, the PRSPs represented a move towards a more just form of progress, and the recognition that economic growth alone is not sufficient in overcoming poverty. 

October 07

Sub-Saharan Africa: Regional Economic Outlook. IMF

Africa Economic conditions and policy IMF Trackbacks (0)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released the Regional Economic Outlook: Sub-Saharan Africa. Published bi-annually in May and October, the report noted that:
Sub-Saharan Africa has been hit hard by the global recession, but signs of resilience remain. While South Africa and some other middle-income countries were caught in the turbulence of international financial markets, and oil exporters saw government revenues plunge, some countries with wider commodity bases have so far escaped the worst of the crisis. With many families affected by the crisis, however, progress toward the Millennium Development Goals has receded.

Download the report (full-text, pdf) from the website.

UN Pulse Permanent Link: Regional Economic Outlook: Sub-Saharan Africa

September 29

IMF Direct

Policy Economic conditions and policy IMF Trackbacks (0)
iMFdirect is a group blog covering the global economy and policy issues, produced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the United States. It posts content related to the IMF s work in economics and finance at global or national level, and posts currently highlight the debate over policy responses to the biggest global recession since the Great Depression. It covers topics such as financial regulation, economic growth, LICs (low income countries), emerging markets and debt relief. The blog includes links to recent comments and postings, a blogroll of links to related blogs, access to items by subject / tag and links to other IMF content. http://blog-imfdirect.imf.org/  From Intute.ac.uk
February 02

Global Economic Slump Challenges Policies. IMF

Economic conditions and policy IMF Trackbacks (0)

World Economic Outlook Update: Global Economic Slump Challenges Policies
Source: International Monetary Fund

World growth is projected to fall to 1.2 percent in 2009, its lowest rate since World War II. Despite wide-ranging policy actions, financial strains remain acute, pulling down the real economy. A sustained economic recovery will not be possible until the financial sector’s functionality is restored and credit markets are unclogged. For this purpose, new policy initiatives are needed to produce credible loan loss recognition; sort financial companies according to their medium-run viability; and provide public support to viable institutions by injecting capital and carving out bad assets. Monetary and fiscal policies need to become even more supportive of aggregate demand and sustain this stance over the foreseeable future, while developing strategies to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Moreover, international cooperation will be critical in designing and implementing these policies.

Global growth in 2009 is expected to fall to 1.2 percent when measured in terms of purchasing power parity and to turn negative when measured in terms of market exchange rates. This represents a downward revision of about 13.4 percentage point from the November 2008 WEO Update. Helped by continued efforts to ease credit strains as well as expansionary fiscal and monetary policies, the global economy is projected to experience a gradual recovery in 2010, with growth picking up to 3 percent. However, the outlook is highly uncertain, and the timing and pace of the recovery depend critically on strong policy actions.

+ Direct lInk to Document (PDF; 533 KB)

Docuticker permalink

July 18

World Economic Outlook Update: Global Slowdown And Rising Inflation. IMF

Economic conditions and policy IMF Trackbacks (0)

PDF version (358 kb)

The global economy is in a tough spot, caught between sharply slowing demand in many advanced economies and rising inflation everywhere, notably in emerging and developing economies. Global growth is expected to decelerate significantly in the second half of 2008, before recovering gradually in 2009. At the same time, rising energy and commodity prices have boosted inflationary pressure, particularly in emerging and developing economies. Against this background, the top priority for policymakers is to head off rising inflationary pressure, while keeping sight of risks to growth. In many emerging economies, tighter monetary policy and greater fiscal restraint are required, combined in some cases with more flexible exchange rate management. In the major advanced economies, the case for monetary tightening is less compelling, given that inflation expectations and labor costs are projected to remain well anchored while growth weakens noticeably, but inflationary pressures need to be monitored carefully.

From Docuticker July 17, 2008

July 15

IMF Study On Food And Fuel Prices

Poverty Food, food supply and food security IMF Petroleum Trackbacks (0)

The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) report Food and Fuel Prices - Recent Developments, Macroeconomic Impact, and Policy Responses (full-text, 1.72 MB) claims that the sharp rise in food and fuel prices "have had adverse effects on the poor and could pose risks to macroeconomic stability in a number of low and middle-income countries." The report also assesses countries' policy responses and the role of IMF in responding to the challenges.

UN Pulse: Permanent Link: IMF study on food and fuel prices

July 07

Food And Fuel Prices: Recent Developments, Macroeconomic Impact, And Policy Responses.IMF

Food, food supply and food security IMF Petroleum Trackbacks (0)

Price Surge Driving Some Countries Close to Tipping Point
Source: International Monetary Fund

The impact of surging oil and food prices is being felt globally but is most acute for import-dependent poor and middle-income countries confronted by balance of payments problems, higher inflation, and worsening poverty, a new IMF study warns.

Analyzing the macroeconomic policy challenges arising from the price surges, the study argues that many governments will have to adjust policies in response to the price shock while the international community will need to do its share to address this global problem.

In advanced countries higher food and fuel prices are reducing people’s living standards and making it more difficult for governments and central banks to support growth while containing inflation. In emerging economies, and especially in some low-income countries, the stakes are even higher. For the very poor, high food prices can mean deep poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.

+ Food and Fuel Prices—Recent Developments, Macroeconomic Impact, and Policy Responses (PDF; 1.7 MB)

 

 Docuticker 

July 5th, 2008
April 17

Housing And The Business Cycle. World Economic Outlook

Housing IMF Business Trackbacks (0)

World Economic Outlook:
Source: International Monetary Fund

The World Economic Outlook (WEO) presents the IMF staff’s analysis and projections of economic developments at the global level, in major country groups (classified by region, stage of development, etc.), and in many individual countries. It focuses on major economic policy issues as well as on the analysis of economic developments and prospects. It is usually prepared twice a year, as documentation for meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, and forms the main instrument of the IMF’s global surveillance activities.

Download in sections or as full report (PDF; 6 MB).

Docuticker

April 11

MDG Goals: Global Monitoring Report 2008

World Bank IMF Millenium Development Goals Trackbacks (0)
The fifth annual Global Monitoring Report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been released. With the sub- title, Environment—Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development, the report stresses the link between environment and development and calls for urgent action on climate change. Released by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the report warns that developing countries stand to suffer the most from climate change and the degradation of natural resources. It further warns that most countries will fall short on achieving the eight goals of the MDGs by the due date of 2015.

Download the full report (pdf) and read the report's spotlights on the environment by regions from the website. UN Pulse
Permanent Link: Global Monitoring Report 2008

April 05

The IMF And Civil Society

IMF Civil society Trackbacks (0)
The IMF and Civil Society [pdf, Windows Media Player, Quick Time]

http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/cs/eng/index.htm

Over the past several decades, the number of civil society organizations (such as labor unions, think tanks, and faith-based associations) has grown exponentially. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is intimately interested in such organizations, and would like to engage with such groups "through information sharing, dialogue, and consultation at both global and national levels." Visitors to the homepage are encouraged to look at the "Spotlight" area as a starting point, as it contains briefing documents and news releases on the IMF's recent activities in this area. Moving down the homepage, visitors are also encouraged to look at the "News" section, which contains the latest updates from poverty reduction programs in Haiti and other structured initiatives. The site is rounded out by a "Resources" area which contains a basic factsheet, the archives of the Civil Society Newsletter, and transcripts from various events and symposia. [KMG] Scout Report

August 25

Africa Action Plan. IMF

Africa Development IMF Trackbacks (0)

World Bank: Africa [Macromedia Flash Player, pdf]

http://www.worldbank.org/africa

 (More)