IMF Survey Magazine: IMF Survey Interview

IMFSurvey Magazine: Interview

The IMF is looking at ways to encourage a more efficient approach to sovereign debt restructuring, a topic that has garnered more interest recently (photo: IMF)

IMF Launches Discussion of Sovereign Debt Restructuring

May 23, 2013

The IMF is taking a fresh look at sovereign debt restructuring, with a robust work agenda on this issue in the coming months, said Hugh Bredenkamp, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Policy, Strategy, and Review Department.

Read the report
Managing sovereign debt

Press release
Debt sustainability guidance

Eastern Caribbean Currency Union Faces Similar Challenges to Euro Area

May 09, 2013
As the 2008 global crisis deepened, the euro area, the world’s largest and most well-known regional currency union, faced a number of challenges. In many respects, the smaller Eastern Caribbean Economic and Currency Union (ECCU) is an interesting microcosm of the euro area’s problems and its difficulties.

IMF Loan to Help Jamaica Cope With Growth and Debt Challenges

May 01, 2013
The IMF’s Executive Board approved a 48-month, $932 million Extended Arrangement for Jamaica. The program will help create the conditions for sustained growth through a significant improvement in the fiscal and debt positions and in competitiveness.

IMF Weighs Reforms to Debt Limits Policy

April 08, 2013
The IMF is studying ways to strengthen the focus of its debt limits policy on debt sustainability while allowing countries to manage debt in a more flexible way, a new report says. The IMF’s Executive Board has given the green light to develop proposals in the coming months.

IMF Sees Big Gains from Energy Subsidies Reform

March 27, 2013
Subsidies are intended to protect consumers by keeping prices low. But many argue subsidies are inefficient and could be replaced with better means of protecting consumers in need. A new IMF paper urges governments the world over to reform subsidies affecting products ranging from coal to gasoline.

Demand for Tech-savvy Workers Fuels Inequality

February 22, 2013
Over the past several decades, advanced economies have seen a striking rise in inequality. In the United States, the top 0.1 percent of households receive more than 10 percent of national income—more than double the figure of 30 years ago.

Latvia’s Recovery Continues As It Eyes Euro Adoption

January 28, 2013
Despite the recession in the euro area, Latvia’s GDP growth is projected to have exceeded 5 percent for the second year in a row in 2012. The labor market is improving, but unemployment remains too high.

Albania Needs Reforms to Counter Growth Slowdown

January 11, 2013
After showing resilience during the past two years, Albania’s economy is now beginning to slow down, the IMF said in its annual review of the Balkan nation’s economy.

IMF's Focus Is on Securing Recovery, Anchoring Future

November 21, 2012
Against the backdrop of a still weak global economic outlook, the IMF’s work agenda for the coming months is designed to support bold policy implementation to secure the economic recovery and anchor the future—the key themes of Managing Director Christine Lagarde’s Global Policy Agenda presented at the IMF’s recent annual meetings in Tokyo.

Portugal to Stay Challenging Reform Course

October 25, 2012
With economic recession set to extend into 2013, Portugal’s government has made excellent progress in implementing reforms agreed under a program supported by European partners and the IMF. In an interview, the IMF’s mission chief for Portugal, Abebe Aemro Selassie, discusses the prospects for economic recovery.

Policy Options for Riding Out Food, Fuel Price Spikes

October 08, 2012
In 2008 food and oil prices spiked, hitting world trade and affecting millions of people worldwide. Earlier this year food prices climbed again, sparking fears of a similar crisis. In an interview, Samya Beidas-Strom says the new price spikes are not as severe as in the past.

IMF to Strengthen Advice on Labor Market Policies

May 08, 2013
Having taken stock of the IMF’s work on job creation and growth, there is scope for the institution to provide more analysis and policy advice to help its members achieve their inclusive growth goals, says IMF Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu in an interview.

Focus on Jobs and Growth, Says IMFC Chair Tharman

April 21, 2013
In an interview, Tharman Shanmugaratnam—Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore and Chair of the IMF’s policy steering committee, the IMFC, underscored the need to refocus policies on sustainable growth and job creation.

Security, Stability Measures Needed to Fix Fragile States

March 29, 2013
A country suffering any or all of the following adverse conditions—political and economic instability, poverty, civil disorder, terrorism, human trafficking, or disease—can be labeled a fragile state. These fragile situations are not limited to low-income countries. The issue of governance is a concern for countries around the world.

Investing in Latin America’s Future

March 25, 2013
Economic growth in Latin America is expected to remain strong in 2013, but the region needs more growth-enhancing and employment-generating policies to reduce poverty and income inequality, said Alejandro Werner, the IMF’s new Director of the Western Hemisphere Department.

Social Safety Nets Key to Helping Poorest in Burkina Faso

February 11, 2013
The IMF is working with Burkina Faso to develop targeted welfare programs aimed at identifying and helping the poorest, but these programs remain a work-in-progress for a country dealing with chronic poverty and an influx of refugees from neighboring Mali.

IMF Support for Greece Moves Ahead with €3.24 Billion Disbursement

January 18, 2013
In recent months, Greece has made impressive progress under the new coalition government in terms of restoring fiscal sustainability and agreeing labor market reforms that are providing a much needed boost to competitiveness.

Implementing Financial, Structural Reforms Key to Slovenia's Recovery

November 29, 2012
Slovenia is suffering from a vicious spiral of deleveraging and economic contraction, made more difficult by the ongoing crisis in the eurozone. The IMF’s Slovenia mission chief discusses the economic outlook and the policy actions needed to get the country out of its deep recession.

Africa's Big Economies Can Influence, Protect Their Neighbors

October 25, 2012
Nigeria and South Africa account for one-half of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP, and are potentially major drivers of growth for the region as a whole. In an interview, senior economist Cheikh Gueye examines Nigeria’s and South Africa’s economic linkages with the rest of the region.

Eurozone: Carrying Out Agreed Policies Can Help Restore Confidence

October 14, 2012
Europe remains a focus of efforts to restore confidence and revive the global economic recovery. In an interview, Director of the IMF’s European Department Reza Moghadam discusses the pressing challenges facing the euro area and outlines the Fund’s broader role in the region.

Bosnia and Herzegovina Gets €405 Million Loan from the IMF

October 05, 2012
The IMF's Executive Board approved on September 26 a 24-month €405 million Stand-By Arrangement for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The program will help create the conditions for a sustained economic recovery amidst the difficult economic environment, the IMF said.

Read Past Articles

Stay Connected

	Comment on IMF policy
	Watch and rate our videos
	Download & listen to IMF experts
	Follow us for the latest news
	Most popular IMF photos
	Sign up for e-mail notification
	Get Survey on mobile
	Public Financial Management Blog

See Also

Finance & Development Magazine

Finance & Development Magazine

Subscription Information

Write to us

The IMF Survey welcomes comments, suggestions, and brief readers' letters, a selection of which are posted under What readers say. Letters may be edited. Please address Internet correspondence to imfsurvey@imf.org.