{ "title": "Transcript of IMF Press Briefing", "publication": "IMF News, June 13, 2019", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing", "canonical": "https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing", "overlayPath": "/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing/index.md", "summary": "Date of briefing: June 13, 2019.", "authors": [ "Arrangement." ], "publishDate": "2019-06-13", "sections": [ { "heading": "Announcements and IMF engagements", "content": "- Date of briefing: June 13, 2019.\n- Embargo: briefing embargoed until 10:30 a.m., Washington Time.\n- Press officer: Andreas Adriano. Phone: +1 202 623-7100. Email: MEDIA@IMF.org.\n- Recent and near-term Managing Director engagements:\n - Christine Lagarde completed a press briefing in Luxemburg presenting results of the Euro Area Article IV Consultation; Staff Concluding Statement published.\n - Tomorrow: Managing Director will be in Geneva for the Centenary of the International Labor Organization and will launch the paper formally titled: A Strategy for IMF Engagement on Social Spending.\n - Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.: Managing Director will be in New York City for the opening of the Forbes Women's Summit and will speak with Moira Forbes; event open to the media.\n - About five or six days after the Forbes Summit: Managing Director will visit Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, to meet authorities, students, civil society, and others.\n- Recent Article IV consultations referenced: China, United States, Euro Area." }, { "heading": "Argentina — program status and outlook", "content": "- IMF focus: on economics and Argentina's program rather than political developments.\n- Recent meetings: Christine Lagarde met with Finance Minister Mr. Dujovne and Central Bank Governor Mr. Sandleris on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Japan.\n- IMF assessment communicated by Managing Director:\n - Continued policy efforts have led to important progress on the fiscal and current accounts.\n - The IMF continues to work on the Fourth Review of the Stand-By Arrangement.\n - The Fund reiterates its commitment to support Argentina's program and policy efforts and encourages steadfast implementation.\n- Outlook and risks:\n - Signs that the recession may be easing; a gradual recovery is expected to take hold in the coming quarters.\n - Inflation remains a persistent challenge; expectation that inflation will continue to decline as authorities' strong monetary policy yields results.\n- No specific date provided for the Board meeting on the Fourth Review." }, { "heading": "Greece — prepayment and Article IV timing", "content": "- Prepayment of IMF obligations: IMF has no update beyond previous statements; understanding is that Greece needs agreement of European partners before prepayment can advance.\n- Article IV timing: IMF will await the July 7 elections in Greece before scheduling the next Article IV mission; no specific date provided." }, { "heading": "Egypt — fifth economic review", "content": "- The IMF expects the Executive Board to meet on Egypt's fifth economic review \"in the next couple of months.\" This is the final review under the supporting program." }, { "heading": "Pakistan — program discussions and social spending", "content": "- Status: Pakistan requested a program; last month the IMF reached a staff level agreement on that program and discussions are now under way.\n- Policy focus highlighted by IMF discussions:\n - Restore stronger, more balanced growth by reducing domestic and external imbalances.\n - Improve the business environment and strengthen institutions.\n - Increase transparency.\n - Protect social spending — protecting social spending is explicitly an important part of the discussion." }, { "heading": "Kenya — negotiations on a Fund-supported program", "content": "- Status: Negotiations are ongoing on a Fund-supported program; no timetable provided." }, { "heading": "Liberia — request and mission", "content": "- Status: Liberian government requested a financial program from the IMF in April; an IMF team is on the ground in Monrovia.\n- Monitoring: IMF has a resident representative in Monrovia and is monitoring protests and public unrest as negotiations proceed." }, { "heading": "Haiti — reassessment required before program proposal", "content": "- Context: Protests and violence have occurred; IMF expressed condolences for loss of life in demonstrations.\n- Status of program discussions:\n - A staff level agreement was reached in March, but given changes in Haiti's economic situation since then, a reassessment of the economic framework and measures needed to stabilize and support the economy is required before proposing a program to the Executive Board.\n - IMF looks forward to engaging with Haiti's new government to protect vulnerable groups, improve governance, and secure macroeconomic stability." }, { "heading": "Ukraine — potential new program contingent on elections", "content": "- Reports referenced about a possible new three or four year program.\n- Status: IMF had a staff visit and initial discussions; further steps await completion of Ukraine's elections before moving forward." }, { "heading": "Press logistics and access", "content": "- The IMF Press Center is a password-protected site for working journalists.\n- Email notification sign-up available for updates when new series and/or country items are posted on the IMF website.\n\nTranscript of IMF Press Briefing — June 13, 2019. IMF Communications Department.\n\n---\n\n\n References\n\n- Arab Republic of Egypt and the IMF\n- Argentina and the IMF\n- Greece and the IMF\n- Haiti and the IMF\n- Liberia and the IMF\n- Pakistan and the IMF\n- IMF Policy Advice -- A Factsheet\n- Transcripts\n- PRESS CENTER\n- https://www.imf.org/en/home\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing" } ], "bullets": [ "[Markdown version](/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing/index.md)", "[Structured JSON version](/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing/index.json)", "[Bundle manifest](/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing/bundle-manifest.json)", "Authors: Arrangement.", "Published: June 13, 2019", "Date of briefing: June 13, 2019.", "Embargo: briefing embargoed until 10:30 a.m., Washington Time.", "Press officer: Andreas Adriano. Phone: +1 202 623-7100. Email: MEDIA@IMF.org.", "Recent and near-term Managing Director engagements:", "Recent Article IV consultations referenced: China, United States, Euro Area.", "IMF focus: on economics and Argentina's program rather than political developments.", "Recent meetings: Christine Lagarde met with Finance Minister Mr. Dujovne and Central Bank Governor Mr. Sandleris on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Japan.", "IMF assessment communicated by Managing Director:", "Outlook and risks:", "No specific date provided for the Board meeting on the Fourth Review.", "Prepayment of IMF obligations: IMF has no update beyond previous statements; understanding is that Greece needs agreement of European partners before prepayment can advance.", "Article IV timing: IMF will await the July 7 elections in Greece before scheduling the next Article IV mission; no specific date provided.", "The IMF expects the Executive Board to meet on Egypt's fifth economic review \"in the next couple of months.\" This is the final review under the supporting program.", "Status: Pakistan requested a program; last month the IMF reached a staff level agreement on that program and discussions are now under way.", "Policy focus highlighted by IMF discussions:", "Status: Negotiations are ongoing on a Fund-supported program; no timetable provided.", "Status: Liberian government requested a financial program from the IMF in April; an IMF team is on the ground in Monrovia.", "Monitoring: IMF has a resident representative in Monrovia and is monitoring protests and public unrest as negotiations proceed.", "Context: Protests and violence have occurred; IMF expressed condolences for loss of life in demonstrations.", "Status of program discussions:", "Reports referenced about a possible new three or four year program.", "Status: IMF had a staff visit and initial discussions; further steps await completion of Ukraine's elections before moving forward.", "The IMF Press Center is a password-protected site for working journalists.", "Email notification sign-up available for updates when new series and/or country items are posted on the IMF website.", "[Arab Republic of Egypt and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/EGY/index.htm)", "[Argentina and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/ARG/index.htm)", "[Greece and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/GRC/index.htm)", "[Haiti and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/HTI/index.htm)", "[Liberia and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/LBR/index.htm)", "[Pakistan and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/PAK/index.htm)", "[IMF Policy Advice -- A Factsheet](https://www.imf.org/en/about/factsheets/imf-surveillance)", "[Transcripts](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)", "[PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)" ], "alternates": { "markdown": "/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing/index.md", "json": "/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing/index.json", "bundleManifest": "/en/news/articles/2019/06/13/tr061319-transcript-of-imf-press-briefing/bundle-manifest.json" }, "generatedAtUtc": "2026-09-25T22:51:53.204Z" }