Finance & Economics | WPN World People News

A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Annalisa Fedelino, visited Accra from June 20-26, 2018, to discuss recent economic developments and the outlook for the remainder of the year, and take stock of performance to date under the IMF-supported program.

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday that the government is finishing a study of tariffs on cars imported to the United States, while a U.S. automobile manufacturers' group warned that placing new tariffs on imported cars will drive consumer prices up thousands of dollars per vehicle.

The EU’s current long-term plan for high-speed rail is unlikely to be achieved and there is no solid EU-wide strategic approach, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors.

On June 22, 2018, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with the Czech Republic.

On June 20, 2018, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with the Republic of Lithuania.

The economy picked up steam in 2017, following two years of sluggish growth. Real GDP expanded by 3.9 percent largely because of the acceleration of investment, which benefited from credit growth and high capacity utilization.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday again called for better trade terms with the European Union and Canada, while saying the United States needs greater trade balance with China.

The Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), the largest source of on-budget financing for Afghanistan’s development, will continue to support the government’s poverty reduction, service delivery and inclusive growth efforts, contributing up to $2.485 billion over the next three years to the national budget, according to the results of a meeting held on June 25.

Iranian merchants in the capital's Grand Bazaar held a rare protest Monday against the plummeting value of Iran's currency, the rial, as other demonstrators also took to the streets.

On June 25, 2018, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the first review of Guinea’s economic performance under the program supported by an Extended Credit Facility (ECF). Completion of this review enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 17.213 million (about US$24.3 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 34.423 million (about US$48.6 million). The Board also approved the authorities’ request for modification and waivers of non-observance of performance criteria.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Bank of Alexandria (ALEXBANK) signed a financing agreement for EUR 20 million to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and midcaps in Egypt. The operation comes under the EIB’s Economic Resilience Initiative (ERI), aimed at enhancing the prospects for more resilient and inclusive growth, fostering financial inclusion and creating sustainable employment opportunities in the country.