Finance & Economics

IMF Staff Completes 2016 Article IV Mission to Saudi Arabia

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Tim Callen held discussions from May 1–12 on the 2016 Article IV Consultation with Saudi Arabia.

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2016 Article IV Consultation with Costa Rica

On May 16, 2016, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Costa Rica.

Costa Rica bounced back quickly from the 2008–09 global crisis, but growth, despite picking up in the last two years to 3.75 percent, has stayed below trend, while macro vulnerabilities, mainly from the weak fiscal position, have risen. Failure to reverse the counter-cyclical budgetary stimulus imparted in 2009, and a rising interest bill since then have pushed the deficit to about 6 percent of GDP in 2015–16.

World Bank Provides Additional $100 Million to Improve Vocational Skills and Employability of 420,000 Bangladeshi Youth

The government of Bangladesh launched on Thursday implementation of $100 million additional financing provided by the World Bank to strengthen technical and vocational education in the country, on 19 May. The World Bank’s additional financing will provide 420,000 poor students with the skills to find better jobs in the local and overseas job markets.

IMF Staff Completes 2016 Article IV Mission to Barbados

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Judith Gold, visited Barbados during May 9–19 to conduct discussions for the 2016 Article IV Consultation.

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2016 Article IV Consultation with the Republic of Lithuania

On May 13, 2016, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with the Republic of Lithuania.

‘The Earth is not flat; it is urban,’ says UN report, urging new agenda for resilient, sustainable cities

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Families enjoying an afternoon in Simon Bolivar Park in Bogotá, Colombia.

IMF Staff Completes 2016 Article IV Mission to the Republic of Marshall Islands

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission led by Jaewoo Lee visited Majuro during May 9‒18 2016 to conduct the 2016 Article IV Consultation discussions. The mission exchanged views on recent economic developments and the outlook with officials in the government, the Banking Commission, and other public institutions. It also met with private sector representatives.

Agriculture a Key Driver in Reducing Poverty in Bangladesh: World Bank

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World Bank Supports Ethiopia’s Small and Medium Enterprises to Boost Job Creation

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday approved a US$200 million International Development Association (IDA) credit to support the growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ethiopia.

Statement by Mr. David Lipton, First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, at the Conclusion of his Visit to Iran

Mr. David Lipton, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), visited The Islamic Republic of Iran during May 15-17, 2016. During his visit, he met with Mohammad Nahavandian, Chief of Staff of President Hassan Rouhani; Mohammad Bagher Nobkhat, Vice President and Head of the Management and Planning Organization; Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, Minister of Petroleum; and Valiollah Seif, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran.