International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Research explores impact of Italian product market reforms on productivity
Authors find positive association between firm performance and deregulation of sector; correlation stronger in areas with 'more efficient’ public services
Bank of Greece pushes for government reforms and debt relief
Monetary policy report urges government to pass reforms, but criticises creditor's focus on tax increases and 3.5% primary surplus; expects growth to pick up to –0.3% by year-end
Measures needed to keep married women in wage sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, paper finds
Working paper examines gender gap in labour markets in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda and Zambia; finds education opens opportunities, but they can diminish after marriage
Sri Lanka targets new inflation framework under reform programme
Authorities will take steps towards inflation targeting over the coming years, while allowing greater exchange rate flexibility; IMF agrees to support reform programme
IMF paper points to short-term benefits of product market reforms
Authors find product market reforms can deliver benefits in short term as well as long, though effects may be curtailed where credit is constrained
Wu Xiaoling warns of growing risks in China’s financial system
Top Chinese economic policy-maker hits out at use of complex financial products, saying China must learn lessons from the global financial crisis before risks get out of hand
Establishing rules of the game for the international monetary system
A traffic-light system for monetary policies could be adopted to prevent a ‘race to the bottom' spate of tit-for-tat measures adopted to address international spillover effects, argues Prachi Mishra
The renminbi and the international monetary system
Zhou Yueqiu, director of the Urban Finance Research Institute of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, offers some perspectives on the future role for the renminbi post-SDR inclusion
Lin Jianhai: The state of the global economy
Secretary general of the IMF Lin Jianhai offers his views on global challenges and China’s economic transition
People: African department director leaves IMF; Dallas Fed looks for new first VP
Antoinette Sayeh retires from International Monetary Fund; Dallas Fed begins looking for replacement first vice-president; and more
IMF staff urge oil-reliant countries to strengthen liquidity frameworks
Low oil prices likely to harm liquidity, raising the need for improved facilities and forecasting; risk of delayed surge in non-performing loans
Somalian central bank gains support from IMF and World Bank
Central Bank of Somalia is backed by international financial institutions in its efforts to upgrade its technical capacities, and improve supervision of its banks and money-transfer businesses
IMF approves larger credit line to Mexico
Fund expands flexible credit line arrangement to $88 billion; confident Mexico's policies "will remain strong"
Further key decisions loom in Greek negotiations
Major decisions remain in negotiations over bail-out; IMF staff insist on cuts to primary surplus target that have met with opposition; ECB may restore eligibility of Greek bonds as collateral
Greek deal unlocks funds but delays debt relief
Deal allows possibility of future debt relief but drops IMF’s stronger demands; pushes most difficult decisions back
Lipton: co-ordinated approach to capital flows ought to be considered
IMF first deputy managing director says it is time for ‘new generation of reforms’; capital flow reversibility has costs as well as benefits
Lagarde: Kazakhstan central bank needs clear mandate
Floating the currency was "just the beginning", IMF chief says; urges update of monetary and fiscal policy frameworks
Arab countries must improve macro-prudential arrangements – IMF paper
Many Arab countries need to improve their macro-prudential policy frameworks, an IMF working paper argues; regulators need policy mandates and better information
Further tightening may be needed in Colombia, IMF says
Staff in Washington, DC, welcome “resolve” of central banking in latest tightening cycle; current account deficit and inflation expectations may call for further action
IMF staff encourage central Asian economies to overcome ‘fear of floating’
Even in economies with supposedly free-floating currencies, central banks have a hard time resisting the urge to intervene, IMF report says
Iran must contain liquidity growth to safeguard inflation success, IMF’s Lipton says
Speaking at the Iranian central bank, David Lipton discusses how inflation can be anchored in single digits, after steadily declining in past year
IMF’s Rennhack outlines challenges facing LatAm economies
Robert Rennhack sees terms of trade driving real exchange rates; tells audience in Mexico region as a whole is in recession
IMF issues stark warning to UK on EU exit
Bank of England could find itself battling market dislocation and “substantial” economic slowdown if UK votes to leave EU, IMF warns; Christine Lagarde dismisses accusations of political meddling
Eurozone finance ministers hold extraordinary meeting over Greece
Finance ministers meet in Brussels over Greek debt; recent negotiations marked by public disagreements between IMF and Greek government