Finance & Economics

IRS Urges Travelers Requiring Passports to Pay Their Back Taxes or Enter into Payment Agreements; People Owing $51,000 or More Covered

The Internal Revenue Service strongly encouraged taxpayers who are seriously behind on their taxes to pay what they owe or enter into a payment agreement with the IRS to avoid putting their passports in jeopardy on Jan 16, 2018.

Crisis management by the European Central Bank: a substantial framework but flaws remain, say EU Auditors

The European Central Bank (ECB) has established a substantial framework for crisis management, but some flaws remain to be addressed, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA). Guidance to staff for early intervention assessments as well as for “failing or likely to fail” assessments should be enhanced, say the auditors.

The ECB assumed extensive responsibilities for banking supervision in 2014. There are now around 120 banks in the euro area under its remit. Recent legislation provides for increasingly intensive supervisory attention from the ECB when a “systemically important” bank in the EU exhibits signs of being in difficulty. Should a bank reach the point where it is failing or likely to fail, it is then for the Single Resolution Board to take charge of its resolution. The auditors found that the ECB has in fact established a substantial framework for crisis management within its supervisory remit.

Republic of Croatia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2017 Article IV Consultation

On January 10, 2018, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with the Republic of Croatia.

World Bank Vice President Visits Kyrgyz Republic, Highlights the Need for New Growth Model

World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Cyril Muller met with Kyrgyz Republic President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, Prime Minister Sapar Isakov and Minister of Finance Adylbek Kasymaliev to discuss the Kyrgyz Republic’s development priorities and the World Bank Group’s cooperation with the country. During his visit, Mr. Muller reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s continued commitment to helping the country achieve sustained and inclusive economic growth.

OECD unemployment rate stable at 5.6% in November 2017

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Government of Tajikistan and World Bank Sign New Project to Improve Irrigation and Food Security

The Government of Tajikistan and the World Bank on January 16, signed a US$16.5 million grant agreement for the Zarafshon Irrigation Rehabilitation and Management Improvement Project aimed at rehabilitating and improving irrigation management in Tajikistan. The project, financed by a Trust Fund of the European Union (EU), will allow farmers in the Zarafshon river basin of northern Tajikistan to increase their crops and improve their livelihoods.

Composite leading indicators continue to point to stable growth momentum in the OECD area

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Composite Leading Indicators (CLI), OECD, January 2018

Composite leading indicators continue to point to stable growth momentum in the OECD area

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Philippines: Additional Funding to Boost Rural Development

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved US$ 170 million of additional financing for the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), designed to boost rural incomes and reduce poverty in the country.

IMF Executive Board Completes Third SCF and Eighth PSI Reviews for Rwanda, Approves US$25.8 Million Disbursement Under the SCF, and Extends the PSI

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on January 12, approved the extension of the Policy Support Instrument (PSI) for Rwanda to December 1, 2018 and completed the eighth review of Rwanda’s performance under the PSI and the third and final review of the arrangement under the Standby Credit Facility (SCF).