IMFSurvey Magazine: Podcasts & Videos
One result of Iceland's banking crisis has been an explosion in external debt (photo: Xinhua/Newscom)
Iceland: The Road Ahead
November 12, 2009
To many people, Iceland has become the poster child of the global economic crisis. When its three main banks collapsed, they brought down the rest of the economy. A year later, the country is still mired in recession. What can we learn from Iceland’s epic crisis?
The Shock of Financial Crises
November 6, 2009
In a interview with the IMF, one of the leading lights on international financial systems, Ricardo Caballero of MIT, explains why a financial crisis is like having a heart attack.
Interview with IMF's John Lipsky
October 7, 2009
In this interview, IMF First Deputy Managing Director John Lipsky acknowledges that 2009 has been a remarkable period for the IMF. He also discusses how the decisions coming out of the 2009 Annual Meetings in Istanbul will shape the IMF’s work agenda in the months to come.
IMF to Proceed with Limited Sales of Gold
September 18, 2009
The IMF's Executive Board recently approved gold sales in a volume strictly limited to 403.3 metric tons, with these sales to be conducted in such a way as to safeguard against disruption of the gold market
Sharing "know-how"
August 13, 2009
The IMF has opened a new technical assistance center in Guatamala to serve Central America. In the center, the IMF will leverage its expertise to provide members with help and training in economic issues ranging from central banking to exchange rate policy.
Factsheet: Technical Assistance
The Man behind the Taylor Rule
August 7, 2009
The IMF’s Prakash Loungani talks to economist John Taylor of Stanford University. Taylor's many achievements include having an economic rule named after him, introducing a new currency and teaching a very famous sportsman—the notion of "opportunity cost".
Kosovo becomes the IMF's 186th member
July 24, 2009
The Managing Director welcomed the former Yugoslavian country into the international monetary organisation, praising the progress it had made in institution building.
The IMF—Helping the World's Poor
July 10, 2009
A two-part podcast series on the Fund's involvement with low-income countries. Part One looks at the Fund's work through the lens of its role as lender, provider of technical assistance, and surveillance. The second examines how the Fund has changed to better meet the needs of this group.
IMF Approves $1.2 Billion in Debt Relief for Haiti
July 1, 2009
The IMF Executive Board granted Haiti $1.2 billion in debt relief, freeing up money for the government to spend on health, education, and fighting poverty, the institution announced on June 30.
Strengthening IMF Technical Assistance
June 24, 2009
IMF technical assistance helps improve the design and implementation of members' economic policies, including by strengthening skills in institutions such as finance ministries, central banks, and statistical agencies. Recently, the IMF began implementing a strategy to strengthen its technical assistance program.
World Trade Hit Hard by Economic Crisis
May 15, 2009
A key indicator of the depth of the global economic crisis has been the dramatic slump in world trade. IMF economists, Kalpana Kochhar, Thomas Dorsey and Paulo Drummond discuss the reasons behind the plunge in global commerce.
Latin America Weathers the Global Crisis
May 6, 2009
Although Latin America is feeling the global economic meltdown, it seems to be faring better than most other regions. In a video interview, IMF Deputy Managing Director Murilo Portugal discusses why this is so.
Global Crisis: Using Fiscal Policy to Stimulate Growth
April 15, 2009
IMF economists Paolo Mauro, Charles F. Kramer, and Steven A. Barnett talk with Jim Rowe about using public money to compensate for declining private demand and how the U.S. and China are doing it.
The IMF Helps Countries Respond to Crisis
April 6, 2009
As the IMF lends money to more and more countries around the world, the Fund is playing an increasingly prominent role in fighting the global economic crisis. But how is it helping and is it doing enough to protect vulnerable people in the countries it lends money to?
Global Crisis: What Happened and How Can We Recover?
February 13, 2009
IMF economists Charles Collyns and Laura Kodres speak with Jim Rowe about what triggered the global economic crisis and the prospects for recovery.
IMF Head on Widening Global Crisis
February 13, 2009
Governments must act quickly to implement policies that will fix the worsening economic crisis. But policymakers should look beyond their own domestic solutions—a global response is vital, says Dominique Strauss-Kahn.
Impact of Global Crisis on Africa
February 6, 2009
Antoinette Sayeh, Director of the IMF’s African Department, discusses the impact of the global economic crisis on Africa and what is needed for the continent to get back on track to raise living standards.
Sayeh on slowing African growth
IMFC Gets First Emerging Market Head
October 11, 2008
Interview with the new head of the International Monetary and Financial Committee
Youssef Boutros-Ghali.
U.S. Has Weathered Several Crises
October 10, 2008
The financial crisis in historical perspective: an interview by Maureen Burke with James Boughton, the IMF’s historian.
The Housing Crisis: How Serious?
October 8, 2008
IMF Economist Prakash Loungani talks with Natalie Ramirez-Djumena about the housing crisis in several advanced economies.
Making Further Progress in Africa
September 23, 2008
Antoinette Sayeh, the Director of the IMF’s African Department, speaks to Glenn Gottselig about prospects for the continent and coming priorities.
IMF Enhances its Technical Assistance
August 1, 2008
IMF experts talk about the Fund’s technical assistance work and how it is being better integrated with the IMF’s economic monitoring and lending, as well as with country reform agendas.
IMF Helps Relieve Global Food Crisis
May 12, 2008
In a video interview, Mark Plant, a senior IMF official, talks about the work going on in the Fund to help relieve the impact of the global food crisis, particularly on the world’s poorest, and discusses the IMF’s policy suggestions.
Tackling the Economics of Climate Change
April 17, 2008
Maureen Burke interviews Natalia Tamirisa and Michael Keen about the economics of climate change and what the IMF is doing in terms of fiscal analysis and recommendations.
IMF Helps Track Iraq Oil Money
March 12, 2008
Elisa Diehl talks with two senior IMF officials, Bert Keuppens and Chris Hemus, who are part of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board that monitors how Iraqi oil money is used, about what has been achieved so far.
Asia Plays Starring Role in World Trade
February 6, 2008
Asian exports now represent 30 percent of world trade, with emerging markets taking the lead. Internal and external trade patterns are changing, intraregional competition is increasing, and export products are becoming more technologically sophisticated. The boom is benefiting consumers worldwide and increasing Asia's prosperity.
Macroeconomic Effects Of Climate Change
November 9, 2007
Studies of the economic and other costs associated with climate change show a wide range of results. In the worst-case scenario, the global economy could experience output losses of about 10 percent for average global warming of 6 degrees C.
Technology Spurs Rising Inequality
October 11, 2007
How has the recent surge of globalization affected people's incomes around the world? It turns out that inequality has worsened in many countries. The culprit is not increased trade or financial globalization but the spread of new technology.
Strengthen Europe's Financial Oversight
September 25, 2007
Length: 08:03 minutes
Europe needs stronger arrangements to oversee risks emerging from an explosion in cross-border transactions, Michael Deppler, Director, and Wim Fonteyne, Senior Economist, both of the IMF European Department, say in discussing a new book.
Why Islamic Finance Is Thriving
September 18, 2007
Length: 10:22 minutes
Abbas Mirakhor, Dean of the IMF's Executive Board and well-known authority on Islamic economics, finance, and banking, talks with Christine Ebrahim-zadeh about the exceptional growth that the Islamic finance industry has experienced over the past few years.
Corruption in the Petroleum Sector
August 30, 2007
Length: 13:14 minutes
Why is corruption so endemic in the petroleum sector? In a podcast interview, Charles McPherson of the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department discusses the specific features of the petroleum industry that encourage corrupt practices.
Addressing Global Imbalances
August 7, 2007
Length: 3:34 minutes
John Lipsky, Deputy Managing Director, talks to Camilla Andersen about the IMF’s attempts to broker a multilateral approach involving the United States, China, the euro area, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, to reducing imbalances in the world economy.
Interview with IMFC Chair Youssef Boutros-Ghali
October 6, 2009
In this interview, Egyptian finance minister and chair of the IMF’s policy steering committee, the International Monetary and Financial Committee, speaks about the outcome of the 2009 Annual Meetings in Istanbul and the next steps for governance reform.
Faces of the Crisis
September 9, 2009
The economic crisis may have originated in the United States, but the shockwaves have been felt both near and far. Hyun-Sung Khang reports on how the downturn has impacted the lives of six people in different corners of the world.
Eichengreen on crises past and present
August 25, 2009
One of the foremost experts on the history and operation of the international monetary and financial system speaks on the “holy grail” for economists—the Great Depression—and assesses the current global crisis.
A Changing IMF
July 1, 2009
Amid the worst slump in half a century, the International Monetary Fund is rising to the challenge posed by the global economic crisis. The Fund has dramatically increased its lending, is using its cross-country experience to advise on policy solutions, and is introducing reforms to modernize its operations. Three experts from the IMF discuss the transformation of the international body.
The IMF Working With Africa
June 30, 2009
The visit by the head of the IMF to Africa in May has highlighted the importance of this region to the Fund. It has increased funding to the continent and, in the words of its Chief, "is ready to do more." So how is the IMF helping Africa overcome the economic slump?
Lipsky Sees Glimpses of Recovery
June 4, 2009
In an interview with Archana Kumar, the IMF's First Deputy Managing Director, John Lipsky, explains how the Fund has adapted to the global downturn and why he now sees glimmers of hope for recovery.
Ukraine: Pulling Through
May 26, 2009
In this video, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyrya and the IMF’s Ceyla Pazarbasioglu discuss the country’s economic woes and how the $16.4 billion IMF loan is helping the country turn the corner.
Romania: Addressing the Crisis
May 4, 2009
After several years of very strong growth, Romania was hit hard last year by the global economic downturn. In this video, Romania's deputy central bank governor and a senior official from the ministry of finance talk about the country's plans for pulling itself out of crisis. The IMF has pledged more than $17 billion to help Romania recover.
Hungary: Facing the Global Crisis
February 13, 2009
Hungary is taking steps to recover after being hit hard by the global financial crisis. In this video, the IMF’s James Morsink and Douglas Rediker of the New America Foundation discuss the origins of the crisis and how Hungary is coping.
Strauss-Kahn Thanks Japan for Financial Support
February 13, 2009
IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn says he aims to double the Fund's lendable resources, in light of the anticipated rise in requests for IMF support. He thanks Japan for leading the way with its loan of $100 billion.
IMF Ready to Help Latin America Limit Crisis Impact
February 12, 2009
Nicolás Eyzaguirre, Director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, talks to IMF Survey online’s Sergio Negrete Cardenas about how Latin American countries can mitigate the impact of the global crisis on the region.
Iceland: Restoring Confidence
December 2, 2008
The IMF has approved a $2.1 billion loan to Iceland to help it recover from the financial crisis and restore confidence in its currency. The IMF's mission chief for Iceland, Poul Thomsen, talks about the crisis and Iceland's plans for dealing with the repercussions.
Africa Confronts Twin Crises
November 4, 2008
Sub-Saharan Africa may begin to feel the effects of global financial turmoil even though it is less integrated with global financial markets than other regions. This second crisis arises just as the continent copes with the impact of a food and fuel price surge.
Georgia Rebuilds
October 21, 2008
In an interview, Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze of Georgia talks about the impact of the recent armed conflict and what it will take for his country to rebuild.
Tough Times Ahead for the World Economy
October 9, 2008
The world economy is entering a downturn created by a combination of fallout from the burgeoning financial crisis in advanced economies, and high commodity prices.
IMF Presses Coordinated Response to Financial Crisis
October 8, 2008
With financial markets worldwide facing growing turmoil, internationally coherent and decisive policy measures are required to restore confidence in the global financial system, the IMF’s Global Financial Stability Report says.
Africa’s Main Task: Preserve Gains Won by Good Policies
August 28, 2008
Former Liberian finance minister Antoinette Sayeh took over as Director of the IMF's African Department last month. She tells IMF Survey online's Glenn Gottselig that a priority for Africa is that governments preserve recent gains and resist temptation to resort to populist policies.
Comprehensive Data Promote Market Efficiency
May 28, 2008
The IMF launched the data dissemination initiative ten years ago to strengthen transparency by establishing standards and codes. Natalie Hairfield talks with William E. Alexander, John Cady, and Jesus Gonzalez-Garcia, editors of a new book on this initiative.
IMF Reforms Country Representation
April 29, 2008
The IMF’s Board of Governors has adopted far-reaching reforms of the institution’s governance. The changes will enhance the participation and voice of emerging market and developing countries.
Lingering Imbalances Cloud Global Outlook
December 11, 2007
A combination of negative factors is threatening the global expansion. One problem is the continued payments imbalances between major economies—China, Japan, the euro area, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. The IMF has been trying to help reduce the imbalances through a coordinated approach.
Credit Growth in Eastern and Central Europe
May 14, 2007
Length: 9:10 minutes
Since the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, countries in central and eastern Europe have made remarkable progress in putting their communist past behind them, with many of them joining the European Union. But now rapid credit growth may be putting some of these gains at risk. Camilla Andersen speaks with Charles Enoch and Inci Ötker-Robe, two IMF economists who have edited a new book on this topic.
Discussing the Global Economy
April 30, 2007
Length: 8:27 minutes
In a video interview, the IMF Economic Counsellor Simon Johnson talks about the prospects for the global economy. He also answers questions about his vision for IMF research and the reforms under way in the Fund.
Growth in Workers' Remittances
April 12, 2007
Length: 7:03 minutes
Workers' remittances are a large and growing source of external financing for developing countries. Two IMF economists use a model to explain remittance flows between countries. They find that policymakers should be cautious about using such remittances as insurance against shocks. Erik Lueth and Marta Ruiz-Arranz discuss their work with Archana Kumar.
Microfinance Takes Off in Low-income Asia
March 7, 2007
Length: 6:23 minutes
In a study on Bangladesh and Nepal, IMF economist Wafa Abdelati talks to Gita Bhatt about how microfinance has improved the access of the poor to financial services. To work, microfinance institutions must have high enough interest rates to be sustainable. Abdelati discusses the macroeconomic impact of microfinance in South Asia.
Read: The IMF and Microfinance
Is microfinance the right solution?
Does Global Labor Help or Hurt?
July 9, 2007
Length: 8:08 minutes
Florence Jaumotte of the IMF’s Research Department talks to Archana Kumar about the causes and effects of labor globalization. She also offers insights on the emotionally charged issue of outsourcing.
Lessons from China and India
December 18, 2006
Length: 6:44 minutes
Steve Dunaway and Jahangir Aziz, lead authors of an IMF book about China and India, talk to Sean Culhane about growth, development, and reform in the two Asian giants over the past 20 years.
See the book: China and India—Learning From Each Other: Reforms and Policies for Sustained Growth
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