Finance & Economics | WPN World People News

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Christoph A. Klingen visited Niamey from October 23 to November 6, 2017 to conduct discussions on the first review of the program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. [1] Niger’s program was approved by the IMF Board on January 23, 2017.

The Council presidency, the European Central Bank and the European Commission met with European social partners on 6 November 2017 to discuss the macroeconomic outlook and the further development of the EU's economic and monetary union (EMU).

On October 26, 2017, the Executive Board of the IMF concluded the Article IV consultation with the Philippines, and considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting.

Bread for the World released on November 2, “Tax Policy Is a Hunger Issue,” which outlines four tax policy priorities that can help families struggling with hunger and poverty. The release of the document comes as Congress begins debate on tax reform legislation.

Zanzibar saw a modest reduction of 4.5 percent in its basic needs poverty rate, and a one percent decrease in extreme poverty between 2010 and 2015, with its more urban, Unguja island the main driver behind this, according to the latest World Bank Poverty Assessment for Zanzibar.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide USD 71m to the Argentine Republic to finance investment in Argentine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Serbia is interested in improving its infrastructure efficiency and sustainability, particularly in the transport and energy sectors, to contribute to the long-term competitiveness of the Serbian economy, and create growth and jobs.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Alex Segura-Ubiergo visited Libreville from October 18 to November 1 for the first review of Gabon’s extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

To sustain growth, job creation and poverty reduction, Sri Lanka needs to move to a more private investment, tradable sector-led growth model, says the latest Sri Lanka Development Update, the World Bank’s half-yearly flagship report on the country's economy, future outlook and policy priorities. It recognizes Vision 2025 as a roadmap that outlines such a shift.

The World Bank Group’s latest Doing Business report ranks Thailand in 26th place among 190 economies in the ease of doing business for small and medium enterprises around the world, up from 48th place when applying the same methodology to last year’s and this year’s data. The report also recognizes Thailand as one of top 10 economies that have improved most in the ease of doing business in the last year worldwide.