Finance & Economics | WPN World People News

On May 9, 2016, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Slovenia and considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting.

On May 6, 2016, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Luxembourg.

Luxembourg’s various competitive advantages of fiscal stability, a qualified workforce, prudent financial oversight, and business friendly regulations, have delivered strong growth and an expanding financial sector intermediating ever increasing flows.

The World Bank Group, in partnership with Sudan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, on 16 May, launched the 2016 Enabling the Business of Agriculture report: “Comparing Regulatory Good Practices.”

With around 130 million mobile phone subscribers, the digital technologies are spreading rapidly in Bangladesh. Yet, Bangladesh has the fifth largest number of people who are not connected to the internet. Bangladesh can accelerate growth, create more jobs and deliver better public services by enhancing access to digital technologies, said a new World Bank report.

The IMF Middle East Center for Economics and Finance (CEF), jointly with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), held a symposium on “The Path to Economic Diversification in Kuwait and other GCC Countries” on Monday May 16, 2016. The event was hosted at the Arab Fund’s Headquarters.

Korea needs to boost productivity, increase employment and stoke economic activity as part of efforts to reverse current trends toward slower growth and low inflation, according to a new report from the OECD.

Employment disparities by educational attainment (2014)

Percentage point differences in the employment/population ratios between native- and foreig-born, 25-64 years old

On April 13, 2016, the Management of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the second and final review under the Staff-Monitored Program (SMP)1 with Afghanistan. The focus of the nine-month SMP was on addressing fiscal and banking vulnerabilities, preserving macroeconomic stability, improving prospects for inclusive growth, and building a track record for a possible future IMF financial arrangement. Despite difficult circumstances, the authorities implemented the program successfully and hence IMF management completed the SMP on schedule.

Schools increasingly need to prepare young people for an interconnected world where they will live and work with people from different backgrounds and cultures. As a first step to understanding young people’s attitudes, values and knowledge of global issues, the OECD is currently working on a new test to be included in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Ms. Inci Otker, visited St. Kitts and Nevis during April 20–May 3 to conduct the 2016 Article IV Consultation.