In December the IMF executive board extended the temporary interest waiver on concessional loans to low-income countries (LICs) under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT), until December 2014.
Conditionality
Finance
News
IMF new view on capital flows: "landmark" but still only a "baby-step forward"
The IMF's new "institutional view" on capital flows, despite being more flexible than its previous stances, has nonetheless angered developing countries who blame rich country policy for volatility in financial movements.
Finance
News
IMF and the Troika: three's a crowd?
The Troika has announced another Greek debt agreement, but disputes between the Fund and its Troika partners over debt reduction remain unresolved.
Conditionality
News
IMF controversy: is austerity backfiring?
The IMF's shift in stance regarding easing Greece's debt burden reflects a deepening controversy about whether austerity policies are counter-productive.
Infrastructure
Analysis
The World Bank and industrial policy: Hands off or hands on?
Former deputy secretary general of UNCTAD Carlos Fortin, of the Institute of Development Studies, examines the Bank's record on industrial policy over the last 20 years and shows that the Bank's position is more nuanced.
Finance
News
Bangladesh to raise VAT under IMF pressure
The Bangladeshi government is being pressured by the IMF's Asia and Pacific department officials to implement its recommendations, including raising the VAT rate, despite opposition from local civil society organizations.
Conditionality
News
IMF-Zimbabwe relations tentatively resume
In September the IMF executive board praised Zimbabwe's efforts to repay its debts to the Fund and relaxed restrictions on technical assistance.
Finance
News
Turkey to repay IMF debts by April
The Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, declared in September that "we will cut it [our $1.3 billion IMF debt] to zero by next April", according to Anatolia News Agency.
Trade
News
World Bank on jobs: "a race to the bottom"?
Two October World Bank reports reveal a contradictory message for developing countries' labour markets.
Infrastructure
Commentary
The IMF in Egypt: revolution or coming full circle?
The Egyptian government has finally concluded an initial loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following two years of continual negotiations.
