IMF International Monetary Fund

Cyprus: Anastasiades Comes Under Suspicion

President Nikos Anastasiades is in dire straits as he is accused of having transferred huge amounts of money to foreign countries and having warned relatives. In the meantime, the austerity package is almost set.

April 2, 2013

Slovenia: “We Will Need No Bailout This Year”

Since Greece, Spain and Cyprus are currently finding themselves in disastrous economic situations, Slovenia does not want to seem like the next bail-out candidate.

March 30, 2013

Cyprus: 37.5 % Only The First Cut

Assets will be burdened much higher than assumed. Apart from the mandatory levy of 37.5 % a further amount of 22.5 % will be frozen in.

March 30, 2013

Slovenia: Situation For Banks Still Shaky

According to the National Bank, the new government in Slovenia needs to avoid becoming the new setting of bail-out negotiations with the EU after the banking crisis in Cyprus.

March 28, 2013

Medvedev Vexed Over EU

In case the government will not come to conclusion how to generate the required money (€ 5.8bn), the ECB will cut off the money supply for Cyprus’ ramshackle banks.

March 25, 2013

Cyprus: Bail-Out Package Accepted

Cyprus has been granted the € 10bn worth aid package by the EU. After ten hours of negotiations in Brussels the decision was made early this morning. Assets below € 100,000 will not be taxed.

March 25, 2013

Cyprus: Agreement on Bank Asset Tax

Today, the Cyprian government has come to a solution on the compulsory charges on bank accounts.

March 23, 2013

Cyprus: Votes on Mandatory Levy

In case the government will not come to conclusion how to generate the required money (€ 5.8bn), the ECB will cut off the money supply for Cyprus’ ramshackle banks.

March 23, 2013

Hungary: In a Debt Crisis Soon?

New all-time high in debts was reported. Hungarian populations hopes for fast political turn-around.

March 22, 2013

Cyprus: Negotiations About “Plan B“ Today

After days of negotiations in Moscow, Cyprian Finance Minister had to return empty-handed. Talks about “plan B” will continue today.

March 22, 2013

Cyprus: Small Investors To Be Excluded From Tax

After protests among Cyprus‘ citizens arised and harsh criticism was expressed, the government now intends to exclude small savers from the compulsary tax and grant them a relief.

March 19, 2013

Cyprus: Parliament Votes Tomorrow For Rescue Package

The Cyprian parliament is unlikely to vote in favor for the rescue package which forces bank clients to contribute with their private money.

March 18, 2013

Hungary: New Interest Rate Cuts Ahead

Since the beginning of March, Hungary´s National Bank MNB has a new governor. The government wants MNB to lower the base rate further.

March 16, 2013

Hungary: Orban Rejects Criticisms

After making amendments to the Hungarian constitution, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his leading Fidezs party have to face harsh criticisms. EU Justice Commissoner Viviane Reding announced to take measures.

March 15, 2013

Bulgaria: EVN Under Surveillance

While the Austrian power supplier EVN is currently kept under surveillance of the Bulgarian judiciary and government, protests by the citizens all over the country continue.

March 11, 2013

IMF Dissatisfied with Croatia´s Economic Progress

Economic conditions have deteriorated lately, reflecting weak external demand, private sector debt reduction, and lack of business and consumer confidence, the IMF delegation said.

February 28, 2013

Romania: Key Rate to Remain Unchanged

“In line with our expectations and market consensus, the central bank remained on hold at its latest monetary policy meeting (5 February)”, Raiffeisen Research reports.

February 21, 2013

IMF Visits Croatia Again

A Mission of the International Monetary Fund, led by Nikolay Gueorguiev, arrived in Croatia for its usual semi-annual visit.

February 21, 2013

Ukraine: Budget Deficit Grows Considerably

General government deficit increased to 5.5% of GDP in 2012 (from 4.2% in 2011) amid feeble tax revenue performance, Raiffeisen Research says.

February 20, 2013

Ukraine´s Economy Stagnates

According to the preliminary estimate by the State Statistics Committee, Ukraine’s GDP grew 0.2% yoy in 2012, thus decelerating from 5.2% yoy in 2011.

February 20, 2013

Ukraine: Deal With IMF to be Cut in Summer

The visit of IMF mission to Kyiv did not bring the immediate results. Raiffeisen Research expects the negotiations to be rather prolonged.

February 20, 2013

IMF Praises Lithuania´s Economic Recovery

According to the International Monetary Fund, the income redistribution is not sufficient. In general, Lithuania´s economic performance is satisfying, however.

February 16, 2013

IMF Supports Lithuania´s Aim to Enter Eurozone

In 2015, the Baltic country wants to become a member of the Eurozone. According to Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, the IMF welcomes this decision.

February 12, 2013

Hungary´s Economy to Recover?

Hungarian Minister of Economics György Matolcsy says that the country may achieve the turnaround this year. Last year, several adverse factors occurred at the same time, Matolcsy explained.

February 7, 2013

IMF Is Satisfied With Progress in Ukraine

This week, the meeting between the senior officials of the National Bank of Ukraine and experts from the IMF's European Department took place in Kyiv. The co-operation will be intensified.

February 7, 2013

Romania Privatizes Freight Division of National Railways

Romania´s government sells a 51% stake in CFR Marfa, the publicly held rail freight company.

February 6, 2013

„Hungary Needs Sustainable Reforms“

The IMF underline that the country must restore the confidence of international investors. At the moment, Hungary´s government is not forced to continue the talks with IMF.

February 5, 2013

„Croatia Has No Answer to the Crisis“

Economists fear that the economic crisis in Croatia will continue this year. The government does not implement enough reforms, observers say.

February 4, 2013

Orban: „Agreement with IMF Unlikely“

According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the IMF tries to put pressure on Hungary.

February 1, 2013

IMF Criticizes Hungarian Government

According to IMF, the economic outlook for Hungary is rather gloomy.

January 28, 2013

Rostowski: Poland´s Economy to Recover in Second Half of 2013

Poland´s Minister of Finance expects that the economic slowdown will continue for the time being.

January 28, 2013

Romania Needs More Time for IMF-Requirements

The financially stricken country did not implement the planned privatizations. EBRD criticized Romania´s slow progress.

January 23, 2013

IMF: Growth in CESEE Region to Accelerate

In the next three years, economic growth rates in central, eastern and southeastern Europe will return to the pre-crisis level, IMF says.

January 23, 2013

Croatia: Austerity Policy Faces Difficulties

Croatia´s Minister of Finance Slavko Linic thinks that the austerity policy cannot be continued.

January 22, 2013

Poland: Lower Growth Forecasts

The slowdown of the Polish economy continues. The government is becoming impatient.

January 22, 2013

Poland: Credit Line Renewed

The IMF guarantees a credit line of € 26bn to the Polish government.

January 19, 2013

IMF to Visit Serbia Again

The International Monetary Fund underlines that Serrbia must reduce its public debt. At the same time, the government must stimulate economic growth, IMF says.

January 18, 2013

Croatia Faces Stagnation

Last year, Croatia´s economy shrank substantially. In 2013, the country will recover, economists say.

January 5, 2013

Hungarian Government „Do Not Need Help from IMF“

Hungary´s Minister of Economics György Matolcsy argues that his country has never needed a loan from the IMF.

December 22, 2012

Ukraine: Fiscal Policy Faces Unsolved Problems

The budget draft for 2013 provides no room for the fiscal consolidation, which looks incompatible with the IMF requirements.

December 19, 2012

Ukraine: Reform Pressure Grows

Mykola Azarov is reappointed as Prime-minister, facing tough challenges ahead, Raiffeisen Research states.

December 18, 2012

S&P Downgrades Croatia

Croatia´s Minister of Finance Slavko Linic does not exclude that Croatia needs support from the IMF next year.

December 17, 2012

WIFO: South Europe Needs Change in Strategy

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) underlines that the austerity policy in South European countries did not help at all.

December 12, 2012

Hungary Considers Reducing Foreign Exchange Reserves

In order to repay loans, the Hungarian government is said to reduce the foreign exchange reserves of MNB (Hungarian National Bank). The government does not need to fear resistance by MNB.

December 1, 2012

IMF: Higher Risks for Austrian Banks in CESEE

In an interview with the Austrian news magazine “Presse”, IMF´s Executive Director Johann Prader explained that the European debt crisis has arrived in Central, East and Southeast Europe.

November 28, 2012

Serbia Attempts New Economic Reforms

The Serbian government does not only want to pursue a strict austerity policy. The country aims to become more attractive for international investors.

November 17, 2012

Romania Hopes for New IMF Loan

The economic situation remains gloomy. Foreign direct investments are weakening. The economic outlook is rather decent.

November 13, 2012

Romania: Joining Eurozone is „Not for Sure”

Romania´s Prime Minister Victor Ponta expressed his concerns about introducing the euro in Romania.

November 5, 2012

Estonia: IMF More Optimistic

The Estonian economy is expected to expand by 2.4% this year.

October 18, 2012

Czech National Bank Open for Interventions

At the moment, the Czech National Bank (CNB) sees no reason for weakening the exchange rate of the Czech Crown. However, CNB is ready to start interventions if necessary.

October 12, 2012
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