Press Release No. 09/195

Press Release No. 09/195
June 3, 2009

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Turkish Treasury will jointly host the 9^th Public Debt Managers’ Forum in Istanbul June 8-9, 2009. The conference, which is taking place against the backdrop of the economic and financial crisis, is entitled “The Impact of Public Sector Interventions in Financial Markets on Debt Management and Debt Markets.”

This event will provide an opportunity for debt managers, central bank officials, and other debt-related policymakers from around 30 IMF member countries, along with invited representatives of the private sector, to discuss the impact of the current crisis on debt markets and debt management practices. In particular, the discussions will explore the role of debt managers in managing these interventions and the risks they present to the government’s balance sheet, the need for coordination with various policies, and how to achieve an orderly unwinding of these interventions.

“In times like these, when many countries are challenged by the impact of the global financial crisis, it is important to have the opportunity to discuss debt management issues in a candid, fruitful, and interactive way,” said IMF Deputy Managing Director Murilo Portugal, who is co-hosting the Forum. “We expect to conclude the event with a summary of actionable points that could help inform policy responses at the national and international level.”

“We are grateful to the Turkish government for jointly hosting this event, and we are looking forward to holding the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Istanbul this year,” Mr. Portugal added.

“The Turkish Treasury is indeed very proud to host this forum which, I believe, provides a unique opportunity for all participants to deliberate and openly exchange views and experiences on debt and risk management—both in working through the current crisis and in building capacity for the future,” said Treasury Undersecretary Ibrahim H. Canakci.

The IMF Debt Management Forum provides a platform for participants to share their views on current trends in debt and capital markets and fosters discussion between the public and private sectors.