IMF Survey Magazine: Countries & Regions

IMFSurvey Magazine: Countries & Regions

Workers build a road in east Sri Lanka. Reconstruction efforts have begun to take shape across the island (Photo: Newscom)

IMF Loan Helps Sri Lankan Reconstruction Drive

November 06, 2009

A loan from the IMF is helping rebuild confidence in Sri Lanka’s economy as it recovers from conflict and paves the way for donor assistance in its reconstruction effort.

Sri Lanka and the IMF
IMF lending $2.6 billion to Sri Lanka

Press release
Letter of intent

Asia Recovering Rapidly, but Faces Challenges, says IMF

October 29, 2009
After being hit hard by the global economic crisis, Asia is now rebounding fast, according to the IMF. The region is outpacing other parts of the world, with the “green shoots” of recovery appearing earlier and taking firmer root than elsewhere.

Sound Policies Soften Crisis Impact on Middle East

October 11, 2009
Oil exporters in the Middle East and North Africa have been hit by the global crisis through a sharp drop in oil prices and lower capital inflows, but the blow has been softened by countercyclical government spending, the IMF’s new regional outlook says.

Latin America Shows Signs of Renewed Growth

October 04, 2009
Many countries in Latin America are showing signs of renewed growth, after being hit hard by the global recession through drops in exports, workers remittances, and tourism, as well as a reversal of capital inflows, says the Director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department.

Caucasus, Central Asia Feel Crisis Impact, But Set for Modest Upturn

October 03, 2009
The global crisis has severely impacted the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA), with growth for the region projected to drop from 6.6 percent in 2008 to 1.5 percent in 2009, according to the IMF’s latest forecast for Middle East and Central Asia

Sound Policies Shield South Africa from Worst of Recession

September 25, 2009
Sound macroeconomic policies have helped cushion the impact of South Africa's first recession since 1992, the IMF says. In its regular assessment of South Africa's economy, the IMF stresses the importance of progress on structural reforms to remove long-standing barriers to growth and employment.

U.S. Proposal to Extend Financial Regulation Breaks New Ground

August 18, 2009
The proposal by the United States to bring under stronger supervision large, systemically important firms, such as insurance companies and other financial institutions that are not banks, breaks new ground, the IMF said.

Resilient Lebanon Defies Odds In Face of Global Crisis

August 11, 2009
Last year Lebanon seemed a prime candidate for a textbook emerging market financial crisis. But the Lebanese economy could this year grow substantially faster than recent projections— not the first time the country has defied the odds in the face of a severe shock.

IMF Presses Korea to Continue Rebalancing Economy

August 09, 2009
The IMF expects the Korean economy to grow by 2½ percent in 2010 but calls on the authorities to continue with efforts to reorient the economy away from exports toward the domestic service sector.

IMF to Lend Pakistan $3.2 Billion More to Support Social Costs, Build Reserves

August 07, 2009
The IMF’s Executive Board agrees to increase lending to Pakistan by an extra $3.2 billion to fund priority spending and help the government provide assistance to nearly three million people displaced by military operations and a difficult security situation.

France: Less Severe Recession but Tepid Recovery

July 31, 2009
France’s economy is being affected by the global financial crisis and the contraction of world trade. In its latest assessment, the IMF says that even though France’s recession is severe, the country has been shielded from the worst effects of the crisis.

Latin America, Caribbean Face Post-Crisis Challenges

October 23, 2009
The worst of the global economic crisis is over for Latin American and the Caribbean. The region is recovering and will return to growth in 2010, the IMF said in an analysis. Nicolás Eyzaguirre also writes about prospects for the region in the Fund’s blog, iMFdirect.

Asia Leading Global Recovery, Says IMF

October 04, 2009
Asia is emerging from the global recession faster and stronger than any other region, led by China and India, but a top IMF official warns against a premature withdrawal of stimulus measures, and underlines the Fund’s commitment to the region.

Europe: IMF Sees Slow and Fragile Recovery

October 03, 2009
Europe’s long recession is bottoming out, reflecting strong policy action, rebounding confidence, and a tentative world trade upswing, the IMF’s new regional outlook says. “Growth is around the corner,” said IMF European Department Director Marek Belka.

Prudent Policies Help Sub-Saharan Africa Ride Downturn

October 03, 2009
There are grounds for optimism that sub-Saharan Africa’s performance relative to the rest of the world will be better than in the past, the IMF says. But the world slowdown is exacting a heavy toll that is all the more harmful given endemic poverty.

Istanbul Meetings to Develop Strategy for Recovery Period

September 09, 2009
One year after the global economy came close to a meltdown, political leaders and financial officials from around the world will attend a series of meetings to assess what to do next as recovery takes hold, culminating in the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Istanbul.

Poland: Bright Spot in Recession-Hit Europe

August 13, 2009
Compared with its neighbors, Poland is expected to experience a mild recession, helped by resilient consumption growth and limited exposure to world trade’s decline. In its regular review of the Polish economy, the IMF expects a modest recovery in 2010, if the global economy recovers too.

IMF Builds Statistical Capacity in Africa

August 11, 2009
The IMF is helping 22 sub-Saharan African countries improve the quality, coverage, and dissemination of key statistics. The institution has been assisting countries that require greater attention and technical assistance in enhancing capacity building in macroeconomic and social statistics.

Russia Needs to Bolster Banks, Target Fiscal Stimulus

August 07, 2009
Russia has been hit by dual shocks—an oil price collapse and a reversal of capital flows. But prudent policies of taxing and saving oil wealth in good years have left it in a strong position, the IMF says in its regular review of Russia’s economy.

Hungary Succeeds in Early Return to Market Financing

August 03, 2009
Hungary's government raises €1 billion in July by selling bonds on international capital markets—a step that signals the return of investor confidence in the central European country, which has one of the economies hardest hit by the global financial crisis.

Avoiding Protracted Decline in Euro Area

July 30, 2009
Although there are signs of improvement in the euro area economy, the outlook is still uncertain, the IMF says in its regular review of the region’s economy. More action is needed to support the recovery and to address cross-border spillovers within the EU.

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