Washington, United States | AFP | The growing use of export restrictions by governments can be “dangerously counterproductive” as the world deals with the coronavirus pandemic, the IMF and WTO warned Friday. The two institutions called on global leaders to commit to refrain from imposing or tightening controls on product sales, as they did at …
Read More »Leaders warn Africa short of funds to fight pandemic
Washington, United States | AFP | International financial institutions and African leaders warned on Friday the continent needs tens of billions of dollars in additional money to fight the coronavirus pandemic despite debt freezes and massive pledges of support. In a joint statement, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund said …
Read More »COVID-19: IMF, World Bank roll out all their lending tools
Washington, United States | AFP | The IMF and World Bank have aggressively pushed out financing to help countries deal with the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Here is a summary of the financing available from the Washington-based development lenders: – Regular lending capacity – All members …
Read More »Uganda could be most resilient in East Africa this year – IMF
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda could emerge from the COVID-19 crisis as the most resilient compared to the other countries in the region, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. In the latest report of the global outlook for 2020, the IMF says Uganda’s growth will be 3.5% …
Read More »Pandemic causing deep recession, and it could get worse: IMF
Washington, United States | AFP | The coronavirus pandemic is pushing the global economy into its deepest recession in a century, cutting world output by three percent this year, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday. If the virus is contained and economies can begin operating again, 2021 should see a rebound …
Read More »IMF approves debt relief for 25 poor countries
Washington, United States | AFP | The International Monetary Fund on Monday announced immediate debt relief for 25 poor countries to help them free up funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic. “This provides grants to our poorest and most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six …
Read More »COVID-19: World bank, IMF call for debt relief for poorer countries
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have called for the suspension of debt repayments for poorer countries as many of them turn to focus on battling the Coronavirus (COVID -19). In a joint statement on Wednesday night, the two multi-lateral lenders said the Coronavirus …
Read More »IMF warns coronavirus recession could be worse than 2009
Washington, United States | AFP | The world economy is facing “severe” economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic that could be even more costly than in 2009 and will require an unprecedented response, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Monday. Georgieva called on advanced economies to provide more support to low income countries, which face a …
Read More »World Bank avails US$12bn to fight Coronavirus
The lender will also provide policy and technical advice to ensure countries access global expertise | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | As the world grapples with the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the World Bank Group is making available an initial package of up to US$12 billion in immediate support to assist countries …
Read More »Without reforms, Gulf oil wealth could vanish by 2034: IMF
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP | Energy-addicted Gulf states must undertake much deeper reforms or risk seeing their wealth drain away in 15 years as global demand for oil slides, the IMF warned Thursday. “At the current fiscal stance, the region’s financial wealth could be depleted by 2034,” the International …
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