The current crisis calls for two main sets of policy measures. First, measures to repair the financial system. Second, measures to increase demand and restore confidence. While some of these measures overlap, the focus of this note is on the second set of policies, and more specifically, given...

Crisis response to date. As the world economy has become engulfed in the worst crisis in many generations, the Fund has mobilized on many fronts to support its member countries. We have responded with prompt, large and flexible financial support where needed. Our monitoring, forecasts, and...

This note provides the IMF staff assessment of recent macroeconomic developments in Togo and progress under the Fund-supported three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program (PRGF) starting from January 2008 based on preliminary information through end-December 2008

This paper sets out, and seeks to make operational, a core package for the consideration of the Executive Board and, subsequently, the Board of Governors. The reforms would lead to a major overhaul of the Fund's quotas and governance, strengthening the Fund's legitimacy and effectiveness. The...

This paper examines the construction of the index and its use over the past seven years, identifies its limitations, examines several alternative measures of trade policy, and highlights some options for improving the Fund's use of trade policy indicators

The discussion in this paper of the causes and consequences of recent oil price increases, and the appropriate policy response, is framed by the volatility and uncertainty that characterize the oil market. Volatile prices arise from supply and demand that are both highly inelastic in the short...

The paper is organized as follows: Section II provides a cross-country overview of the economic conditions, including the composition of sovereign debt and its dynamics prevailing prior to the debt operations, and a discussion of the scope and outcomes-in terms of the debt relief provided by...

The strategy proposed in this paper seeks to build understanding and support for the IMF's reform agenda as outlined in the IMF's Medium-Term Strategy, further integrate communications with operations, raise the impact of communication tools, and rebalance outreach efforts

The IMF has revised its Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency, following a public consultation process. Nine new practices have been added to the Code and many existing practices have been broadened in scope. The four pillars of the original Code remain unchanged: clarity of roles and...

The Manual, which is a companion document to the IMF's Code of Good Practices on Fiscal Transparency (2007), has been revised to reflect the new Code and to provide more recent examples of good practice by individual countries. The Manual expands and explains the pillars and principles of the...