IMF International Monetary Fund

IMF Report: Austria Should Make Cuts in Healthcare, Education, Pensions, Banks Should Raise Equity

Austria's outlook suggests a moderate improvement. The latest IMF report recommends Austria to conduct broad cuts in such areas of spending as healthcare, education and pensions. Also, Austrian banks should raise equity. Unemployment, although rising, has remained moderate at below 6 percent. Strengthening private consumption, investment, and exports are expected to raise growth to about 1½ percent in 2016. The current account surplus exceeds 2 percent of GDP thanks to sustained price competitiveness and robust tourism inflows. The authorities have made significant progress in revamping the regulatory framework for the banking sector. However challenges remain and further measures need to be taken. Therefore the IMF suggests three policy priorities: expenditure reforms, integrate immigrants into the Austrian economy and further strengthen financial sector resilience.

December 14, 2015

Austria to Support China's "Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank"?

The Austrian Finance Ministry confirmed that Austria will participate in the China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) project after receiving the appropriate approval from the government. Now it checks for a potential engagement. China is taking matters into its own hands. It will use the new bank to expand its influence at the expense of America and Japan. Its decision to fund a new multilateral bank reflects its frustration with the slow pace of global economic governance reform. China is the biggest economy in Asia, but the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is still dominated by the Japanese: Japan’s voting share is twice China’s and the ADB’s president has always been Japanese. Also, reforms to give China more say at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been delayed for years.

March 27, 2015

Background: The New "Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank"

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is regarded by some as a rival for the IMF, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which are regarded as dominated by developed countries like the United States. AIIB is an international financial institution proposed by the government of China. The purpose of the multilateral development bank is to provide finance to infrastructure projects in the Asia region. Austria recently said, that it is "positive" and that it "now checks for a potential engagement".

March 27, 2015

Slovenia: Head of NLB Throws in Towel

On Friday France Ahar, President of the supervisory board of the biggest lender of Slovenia, state-controlled NLB, handed in his resignation.

April 14, 2014

Poland: Growth Forecast Raised Again

The International Monetary Fund has raised the forcast of GDP growth in Poland.

April 9, 2014

IMF Upgrades Growth for Slovenia

In its latest report the International Monetary Fund has raised its projection for GDP growth in Slovenia.

April 9, 2014

Serbia to Continue Talks with IMF

Serbia's Minister of Finance Lazar Krstic announced that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission will visit Serbia for talks on a new three-year arrangement shortly after a new government is formed.

March 21, 2014

Fitch: Elections Command Fiscal Consolidation and Reforms

Vucic appears to acknowledge the need for reforms in Serbia.

March 20, 2014

Serbia: Economic Activity Increases Speed

Since the beginning of 2014 economic activity has started to accelerate.

March 19, 2014

Serbia to Continue Path towards EU

Even after the elections the new government intends to continue the path towards an EU membership.

March 13, 2014

Poland Reconsiders Joining Eurozone

The current political crisis in Ukraine is also causing turmoil at the Polish financial markets letting the national currency drop significantly against the Euro.

March 5, 2014

Serbia: Economic Changes Urgently Needed

Economic Forum highlights need for reforms.

March 5, 2014

Romania: Ponta Clinging to Leadership

Reforms in Romania will be carried out even if Ponta’s new government’s majority will be reduced in parliament.

February 27, 2014

Serbia to Start Talks with IMF

Officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have started negotiations with Serbia on Wednesday.

February 26, 2014

Serbia: Structural Reforms to Boost FDI

Recent projections of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) forecast foreign direct investments (FDI) to increase to € 1bn this year up from € 750m.

February 21, 2014

Serbia: FDI for Sustainable Growth

Serbia needs FDI in the amount of € 2bn at least to stimulate sustainable growth, according to experts.

February 12, 2014

Serbia: Inflation Requires New IMF Agreement

In the light of a devaluation of the Dinar Serbia needs a new agreement with the IMF to improve funding and accelerate the realization of reforms.

February 10, 2014

Eurozone: Highest Economic Growth in Two Years

The purchase manager index for the private economy increased to 53.2 points up by 1.1 points, as published by Markit research institute on Thursday.

January 23, 2014

Poland: Banking Sentiment Rises

The Polish banking sentiment indicator Pengab increased by 1.2 points in January on a month-on-month comparison basis to a total of 27.5 points.

January 23, 2014

CESEE: Lack in FDI Causes Modest Economic Growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is cautiously optimistic about economic growth in CESEE.

January 14, 2014

Romania: Slight Increase in FX Reserves

In December 2013 FX reserves increased slightly compared to the previous month.

January 7, 2014

Bulgaria: Economic Upturn Not Sooner Than 2015

As reported by Bulgarian daily Standart, an economist at World Bank pointed out that the country has not yet reached the economic situation of before the start of the financial crisis in 2008.

December 20, 2013

Bulgaria: Majority of Citizens Call for Early Elections

According to a poll, 80 percent of Bulgarians demand early elections.

December 17, 2013

Bank of Albania Presses for Agreement with IMF

The Albanian economy from short-term adjustment toward long-term sustainable growth. Why Albania needs an agreement with the IMF.

December 4, 2013

Poland: GDP Growth Speeds up

The long-awaited economic recovery starts to accelerate in Poland.

December 2, 2013

Croatia: HNB Pushes Credits

According to reports by Reuters, the Croatian National Bank (HNB) intends to issue HRK 4bn (US-$ 707m) to support credits. Further details will be published by the Central Bank later this week.

November 27, 2013

Poland: IMF Corrects Growth Forecast Upward

Growth forecasts for next year were increased by 0.3 percent by IMF.

November 25, 2013

Austria: Wifo’s Estimates More Optimistic

Wifo forecasts Austria to keep its growth advantage if “smart” consolidation measures are carried out by the government.

November 20, 2013

Nowotny: Economic Recovery not as Strong as Expected

According to Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), indicators point toward a slow recovery in the next quarters.

November 18, 2013

Romania: Growth Rates to Exceed Forecasts

According to the autumn forecast published by the EU Commission on Tuesday, Romania will exceed the previous estimates.

November 6, 2013

IMF Wants to Introduce Compulsory Tax

IMF’s idea of introducing a compulsory tax on household assets could decrease state debt earns harsh criticism. Economists reject the idea.

November 4, 2013

Slovenia: Highest Contribution of GDP to ESM

As reported by Slovenia Times, the country has spent 2.8 percent of GDP for the Euro Stability Mechanism (ESM) last year.

November 4, 2013

Slovenia: Parliament Approves Amendmends to Banking Act

Measures were taken to reduce costs for winding up of two small Slovenian banks.

October 30, 2013

Bulgarian President Calls for TTIP

Bulgaria’s economy would benefit from a free trade agreement between EU and USA.

October 25, 2013

Romania: Precautionary Financial Assistance Approved

The Council of the European Union has approved a new precautionary financial assistance program for Romania in extend of € 2bn in connection with a loan by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

October 25, 2013

Bulgaria to Encourage Chinese Investments

Investments from China in Bulgaria currently come at € 85m, reports SME Times.

October 18, 2013

Romania: Privatization of Railroad Company Flopped

The privatization of Romanian freight railroad company CFR Marfa failed. The sale of shares is part of the conditions with IMF, the World Bank and the European Union.

October 17, 2013

Albania: Economic Growth below Potential

Structural reforms are needed to boost productivity and competitiveness and avoid weaknesses, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

October 15, 2013

IMF: Serbia´s Reforms are Not Sufficient

On the occasion of a visit in Serbia, the IMF commented the efforts of the Serbian government to cut the budget gap. The austerity cuts are right, but the country needs further reforms, IMF´s team said.

October 10, 2013

Bratusek: “We Are Paying for Your Debts”

On Tuesday Slovenian Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek presented the budget draft for 2014 and 2015 to the members of parliament.

October 9, 2013

IMF Forecasts Only Minimal Growth for Austria in 2013

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts not even one half percent of GDP growth this year for Austria. However, 2014 has better chances for accelerated growth.

October 8, 2013

Slovenia in a Decisive Phase

According to Bostjan Jazbec, Govenor of the Bank of Slovenia, the coming weeks will be critical for the small Eurozone member country.

September 23, 2013

Slovenia: First Budget Surplus in 2013

For the first time this year, Slovenia shows a budget surplus of € 15m. However, the deficit of the first eight months is as high as € 1.3bn, according to data by the Finance Ministry.

September 20, 2013

Romania Is Recovering According to PM

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta presented the key issues on the new agreement with the EU Commission, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to the parliament on Tuesday.

September 19, 2013

Croatia: No End of Recession in Sight

For the seventh quarter in a row, Croatia´s GDP was down. The main problem is the weakening domestic consumption and the high unemployment quota.