Getting into Higher Gear: Why Structural Reforms Are Critical for Revving Up Global Growth

Posted on July 25, 2016 by iMFdirect

David Lipton 2016-1By David Lipton

Versions in عربي (Arabic), Español (Spanish)

Almost a decade after the start of the global financial crisis, the world economy is still trying to achieve escape velocity. The IMF’s recent forecast for global growth is a disappointing 3.1 percent in 2016 and 3.4 percent in 2017. And the outlook remains clouded by increased economic and political uncertainty, including from the impact of the Brexit vote.

Policymakers have taken forceful macroeconomic policy action to support growth, such as fiscal stimulus and appropriately accommodative monetary policy. But a lasting recovery remains elusive. Continue reading →

Filed under: Advanced Economies, Financial Crisis, Fiscal policy, G-20, International Monetary Fund | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

In Transition: The Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean

Posted on July 20, 2016 by iMFdirect

Event onlyBy Alejandro Werner

Versions in: Português (Portuguese),  Español (Spanish)

Following a rough start at the beginning of the year, both external and domestic conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean have improved. But the outlook for the region is still uncertain.

Commodity prices have recovered since their February 2016 trough, but they are still expected to remain low for the foreseeable future. This has been accompanied by a brake—or even a reversal—in the large exchange rate depreciations in some of the largest economies in the region.

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Filed under: Caribbean, Economic outlook, Emerging Markets, IMF, International Monetary Fund, Investment, Latin America, South America, trade, Transition | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Rising Latin American Corporate Risk: Walking a Tightrope

Posted on May 25, 2016 by iMFdirect

By Carlos Caceres and Fabiano Rodrigues Bastos

Versions in Português (Portuguese) and Español (Spanish)

The rapid increase in Latin American corporate debt—fueled by an abundance of cheap foreign money during the past decade—has contributed to an increase in corporate risk. Total debt of nonfinancial firms in Latin America increased from US$170 billion in 2010 to US$383 billion in 2015. With potential growth across countries in the region slowing, in line with the end of the commodity supercycle, it will now be more difficult for firms to operate under increased debt burdens and reduced safety margins.

In this environment, Latin American firms are walking a tightrope. With external financial conditions tightening, the walk towards the other side—notably through adjustment and deleveraging—while necessary, has become riskier. After making good progress, the crossing has also become more perilous due to strong headwinds—including slower global demand and bouts of heightened market volatility.

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Filed under: Emerging Markets, Fiscal, IMF, International Monetary Fund, Latin America | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Unemployment: Troubles Ahead for Emerging Markets

Posted on May 3, 2016 by iMFdirect

By Prakash Loungani and Zidong An

Version in Español (Spanish)

Forecasts of real GDP growth attract a lot of media attention. But what matters more to the person on the street is how growth translates into jobs. Unfortunately, the mediocre growth outlook of recent years may lead to a disturbing outlook for jobs, particularly among fuel-exporting countries and in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

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Filed under: Advanced Economies, Caribbean, developing countries, Emerging Markets, euro zone, Inequality, International Monetary Fund, Latin America, U.S., unemployment | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

The Changing Roles of Emerging Economies and the Insurance Sector

Posted on April 4, 2016 by iMFdirect

by iMFdirect

Today the IMF published some of its new research from the Global Financial Stability Report on two hot topics: emerging economies and the insurance sector in advanced economies.  Here’s a quick take on the latest analysis. Continue reading →

Filed under: Advanced Economies, Annual Meetings, China, Emerging Markets, IMF, International Monetary Fund | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Bad Debt in Emerging Markets: Still Early Days

Posted on November 9, 2015 by iMFdirect

by John Caparusso, Yingyuan Chen, Evan Papageorgiou and Shamir Tanna

(Versions in 中文, Português, Русский, and Español)

Emerging markets have had a great run. The fifteen largest emerging market economies grew by 48% from 2009 to 2014, a period when the Group of Twenty economies collectively expanded by 6%.

How did emerging markets sustain this growth? In part, they drew upon bank lending to drive corporate credit expansion, strong earnings, and low defaults. This credit boom, combined with falling commodity prices and foreign currency borrowing, now leaves emerging market firms vulnerable and financial sectors under stress, as we discuss in the latest Global Financial Stability Report.

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Filed under: Economic Crisis, Economic outlook, Economic research, Emerging Markets, Financial Crisis, Fiscal policy, IMF, International Monetary Fund, Reform | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Corruption: A Hidden Tax on Growth

Posted on November 5, 2015 by iMFdirect

By Vitor Gaspar and Sean Hagan

(Versions in Español , عربي, 中文, Français, 日本語, Русский, عربي)

In recent years, citizens’ concerns about allegations of corruption in the public sector have become more visible and widespread. From São Paulo to Johannesburg, citizens have taken to the streets against graft. In countries like Chile, Guatemala, India, Iraq, Malaysia and Ukraine, they are sending a clear and loud message to their leaders: Address corruption!

Policymakers are paying attention too. Discussing corruption has long been a sensitive topic at inter-governmental organizations like the International Monetary Fund. But earlier this month at its Annual Meetings in Lima, Peru, the IMF hosted a refreshingly frank discussion on the subject.  The panel session provided a stimulating debate on definitions of corruption, its direct and indirect consequences, and strategies for addressing it, including the role that individuals and institutions such as the IMF can play. This blog gives a flavor of the discussion.

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Filed under: Annual Meetings, Economic outlook, Economic research, Emerging Markets, Financial regulation, Global Governance, Globalization, Government, IMF, International Monetary Fund, Latin America, Middle East, Politics, Reform | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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