Issues Briefs List 2001


These briefs are prepared by IMF staff for public information and as a contribution to debate on issues of topical interest.

November
Global Trade Liberalization and the Developing Countries -- An IMF Issues Brief  Integration into the world economy has proven a powerful means for countries to promote economic growth, development, and poverty reduction.November 08, 2001
July
100 Percent Debt Cancellation? A Response from the IMF and the World Bank -- An IMF Issues Brief  At the close of the last millennium, the international community succeeded in achieving an ambitious and important goal in our shared fight against poverty. In 1999, we committed ourselves to deeper, broader and faster debt relief to every eligible country which could translate the resources into better prospects for its poor. By the end of June 2001, agreements were in place - with relief flowing - to 23 countries, 19 of them in Africa, for debt service relief amounting to some $34 billion. And we are committed to helping the remaining HIPCs do what is necessary to access debt relief under the Initiative.July 10, 2001
April
IMF Lending to Poor Countries - How does the PRGF differ from the ESAF? -- An IMF Issues Brief  The core aim of the PRGF is to arrive at policies that are more clearly focused on economic growth and poverty reduction and, as a result of better national ownership, more consistently implemented.April 30, 2001
Standards and Codes: the IMF's Role -- An IMF Issues Brief  In the wake of recent international financial crises, attention has focused on the adoption and implementation of internationally-recognized standards and codes of good practice in economic and financial affairs as a tool to reduce the risk of future crises. These standards and codes can help countries to conduct their economic and financial affairs in prudent and transparent ways, so that the international financial system will be more stable and less prone to crises.April 26, 2001
Transparency -- An IMF Issues Brief  Greater openness in economic policymaking and in the dissemination of data on economic and financial developments are key elements of the international community's efforts to be more effective at preventing financial crises. This emphasis on transparency promotes the orderly and efficient functioning of financial markets, reduces the likelihood of shocks, and enhances the accountability of policymakers. Many countries have taken steps in recent years to become more transparent, and the IMF has undertaken initiatives to make its operations and policy deliberations more open to the public while safeguarding its role as confidential adviser to governments.April 26, 2001
March
Resolving and Preventing Financial Crises: The Role of the Private Sector -- An IMF Issues Brief  It is important to encourage the involvement of private sector creditors in the resolution of crises, by reaching cooperative solutions to payment problems. If efforts to reach agreement on a voluntary approach are not successful, creditors may have to accept some constraint on their immediate demands for repayment and shoulder some losses.March 26, 2001
Reforming the International Financial Architecture -- Progress Through 2000 -- An IMF Issues Brief  The financial crises of the past few years exposed weaknesses in the international financial system. In response, the international community is strengthening the architecture of the international financial system to reduce the risk of crises.March 09, 2001