IMF Survey Magazine: IMF Survey Interview

IMFSurvey Magazine: Interview

Metalworker at a steel plant in Ukraine, which has overcome the worst of the crisis but now faces new challenges (photo: Alexander Khudoteply/AFP)

IMF Urges Ukraine To Stick With Recovery Policies

November 04, 2009

The IMF urges Ukrainian policymakers to try to forge a consensus to support economic recovery and avoid measures that would fuel inflation and unemployment. IMF Mission Chief Ceyla Pazarbasioglu discusses the status of the Ukrainian economic program and the way forward.

Ukraine and the IMF
Banking fallout

IMF sees recovery in Europe
Meeting with trades unions

Agreement with Banks Limits Crisis in Emerging Europe

October 28, 2009
In an interview, Erik Berglöf (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) and Anne-Marie Gulde (IMF) discuss the impact of the European Bank Coordination Initiative, which has played a key role in helping emerging Europe avert systemic crisis.

Iceland: Quiet Progress on Key Reforms

October 21, 2009
A new government has been working with quiet determination to rebuild Iceland’s crisis-hit economy in consultation with the IMF. In an interview, IMF mission chief for Iceland Mark Flanagan talks about how far the country has come since its banking crisis last October.

Social Risks Ahead If Jobs Crisis Is Not Addressed—IMF

September 18, 2009
In an interview, IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn discusses the outlook for the global economy, the threats to social stability from rising unemployment, and the IMF’s role in a post-crisis world, and reiterates concerns about the “third phase” of the crisis— high unemployment.

IMF, FSB Working Together on Identifying Systemic Risks

August 06, 2009
The expanded Financial Stability Forum was recently reestablished as the Financial Stability Board (FSB) with a broadened mandate to promote financial stability. IMF Survey online spoke with Ben Cohen of the FSB about his organization’s new role and how both institutions are working together to identify risks and vulnerabilities.

Latvia Struggles to Overcome Economic Downturn

July 28, 2009
An IMF mission and the Latvian government have agreed on a new policy package that will give the Baltic country access to about $278 million in new financing. In an interview, mission leaders Anne-Marie Gulde and Mark Griffiths explain the rationale for the policy measures.

IMF's Lipsky Sees Tentative Signs Of Crisis Turnabout

June 04, 2009
The International Monetary Fund's First Deputy Managing Director, John Lipsky, says he sees cautious signs of a possible turnaround in the global economic crisis, but stresses the need to restore the workings of the financial sector in advanced economies.

Policy Adjustments Move Ukraine Forward

May 08, 2009
Reeling from the impact of the global economic crisis, Ukraine is poised to receive the second installment of a $16.4 billion IMF loan. IMF Survey online spoke with IMF Ukraine mission chief Ceyla Pazarbasioglu about key economic and financial issues facing the country.

Poor Countries Need Extra Help to Get Through Global Crisis

March 05, 2009
A new IMF study finds that at least $25 billion in urgent concessional financing will be needed this year to help low-income countries affected by the deepening global economic crisis and prevent millions from falling back into poverty.

IMF Backs Iceland As It Struggles with Uncertainty

February 24, 2009
The IMF is helping Iceland recover from the financial crisis. The IMF's new mission chief for Iceland, Mark Flanagan, looks at the economic challenges ahead, explains what role the IMF is playing in the restructuring of Iceland's banks, and how its money is being used.

Focus Now on Applying Stimulus, IMF Says Ahead of G-7

February 12, 2009
IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn says advanced countries must now focus on getting their economies moving again by implementing the stimulus packages they have announced, as well as cleaning up their financial sectors.

Health, Social Spending Vital in IMF-Supported Programs

October 26, 2009
Several organizations and researchers have studied the effects that IMF programs may have on health in individual countries, and the IMF itself is also monitoring its role in this regard as part of its assessment of programs in member countries.

Fiscal Challenge Next For Policymakers

October 14, 2009
It is still too soon to unwind stimulus policies, but policymakers need to think about returning fiscal and monetary positions to nearer normal. In an interview, the IMF’s Carlo Cottarelli and José Viňals look at the fiscal and monetary consequences of the global economic crisis.

The Role of Tax Policy in the Global Economic Crisis

September 17, 2009
Earlier this year, the IMF released findings of a study on crisis-related issues in tax policy, including debt bias, the use of complex instruments, and other distortions. Michael Keen and Victoria Perry of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department spoke about the study’s main findings and what role tax policy had in the global economic crisis.

Sri Lanka to Use IMF Loan to Reform Economy After Conflict

July 29, 2009
The IMF has approved a 20-month Stand-By Arrangement for Sri Lanka providing the South Asian island nation with a $2.6 billion loan to help reform the economy following the end of its extended conflict.

IMF Acting on Several Fronts to Ramp Up Its Financing

July 06, 2009
The IMF is ramping up its financial resources to be able to play a strong role in resolving the current crisis. IMF Finance Director Andrew Tweedie spoke about the action to revamp the Fund’s finances so it is better placed to help member countries.

Latvia Caught in Vicious Economic Downturn

May 28, 2009
Latvia is in a deep recession, with the economy projected to contract this year by more than 15 percent. Plunging revenues are opening up a wide fiscal gap, which the new government is trying to plug. Mark Griffiths and Christoph Rosenberg talk about the huge challenges that face Latvia today.

Romania Receives Support from IMF to Counter Crisis

May 04, 2009
After several years of strong growth, Romania was hit hard last year by the global economic downturn and approached the IMF for a loan. IMF mission chief Jeffrey Franks talks about Romania’s economic challenges and the goals of its IMF-supported program.

Changing IMF Works Hard To Combat Global Crisis

February 26, 2009
The IMF's Reza Moghadam, who leads the work on the IMF's overall policies and strategy, talks about lessons learned from the financial crisis, the G-20's work on reforming the international financial system, and the IMF's new approach to lending.

Latin America Can Minimize Crisis Impact

February 12, 2009
Latin American countries should do more to limit the impact of the crisis, and some may request financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund, the IMF's new Western Hemisphere Department Director Nicolas Eyzaguirre says in an interview.

Africa's Reforms Have Borne Fruit, But Gains Now Under Threat

February 06, 2009
Growth in Africa is expected to slow to 3¼ percent in 2009 as the global downturn takes its toll on the continent. But as bleak as things look, Africa's prospects will be bright once global recovery gets under way, says the IMF's Antoinette Sayeh.

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