Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Latest news, features and opinion on the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The 189-nation IMF promotes global monetary cooperation, facilities trade, encourages sustainable growth and makes funds available to countries experiencing fiscal difficulties.
A trader works, as a screen broadcasts a press conference by US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell following a rate announcement, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on March 18. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

Macroscope | The real reason stock markets are still flying high despite grave risks

For all the talk of market resilience, too much portfolio investment is chasing too few real-world investment areas.

videocam
Japan

Macroscope | Why fixing Japan’s monetary policy isn’t getting any easier

videocam
China trade

China presses IMF for quota reform, better surveillance of advanced economies

10
China GDP

First tariffs, now war: how Asia is facing a second year of economic shocks

Global institutions forecast slower growth in Asia-Pacific this year, as the Iran war and tariff risks combine to disrupt global trade.

videocam
5
A crane loads cargo onto a ship at a port in Zhangjiagang, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP
China manufacturing

Iran war energy shock sees Chinese firms recalibrate overseas expansion plans

Businesses are rethinking short-term strategies as they adapt to rising costs and slowing growth across major economies.

videocam
US-Venezuela conflict

IMF, World Bank say they are resuming dealings with Venezuela

The move follows the January ouster of Nicolas Maduro and could unlock billions in frozen assets for the Rodriguez administration.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Foreign exchange market

China trims US Treasury holdings as global ownership hits record

Beijing slightly pares its sovereign US debt position as private investors and certain financial hubs drive demand up.

China has been gradually diversifying its foreign exchange reserves away from holdings of sovereign American debt. Photo: dpa
China GDP

China beats expectations with 5% growth in first GDP release since Iran war

‘Stronger than expected’ growth figure indicates minimal impact from the conflict and a low likelihood for near-term stimulus, analysts said.

10
China GDP

Despite Iran war, China set for ‘solid’ first-quarter GDP growth: analysts

Flexible growth target means little likelihood of imminent stimulus, but focus will switch to impact of disruptions in second quarter.

videocam
China GDP

IMF cuts China’s GDP growth forecast to 4.4% as Iran war hits global economy

The latest projection is 0.1 percentage lower than January’s estimate but higher than October’s.

6
The IMF headquarters during the first day of the 2026 Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group in Washington on April 13. Photo: Kent Nishimura
Banking & finance

Macroscope | Can World Bank and IMF leaders rescue a global economy on the brink?

By attacking Iran, the US has put the global economic order in jeopardy.

The International Monetary Fund logo is seen outside its headquarters in Washington. Photo: Reuters
United Nations

Global wealth gap widens as aid to world’s poorest sees record drop

UN warns of ‘extremely perilous’ era for international cooperation with global aid falling by 23 per cent in 2025.

Pakistan

UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation

As Abu Dhabi signals its displeasure with Islamabad, analysts say other indebted partners will be watching closely.

videocam
8
Yuan

China’s yuan may be going global faster than Western data suggests, analysts say

Many yuan transactions are now routed through China’s own global payment system, which often does not show up in traditional data sets, analysts say.

videocam
20
The Chinese yuan may be used more widely in cross-border payments than conventional data suggests, analysts say. Photo: AFP
My Take

My Take | Why Beijing is now the only true partner of Africa and Latin America

In contrast to friendly China, the United States has weaponised foreign aid on one continent and returned to gunboat diplomacy in the western hemisphere.

12
A section of the Chinese-built Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

Fuel, food and fury: how the Iran war could topple South Asian governments

Analysts warn the crisis is threatening to spill over into wider economic and political instability.

Pakistan

Pakistan offers free public transport for 30 days following 40% petrol hike

The announcement of free travel for residents of Islamabad and Punjab came after people protested the steep rise in fuel prices.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China-Latin America relations

Brazil exporters bypass local banks to tap China’s US$1 trillion Sinosure fund

As Brazilian interest rates price out local lenders, Sinosure is quietly reshaping how Chinese goods reach the market.

videocam
Brazilian importers buying from China are turning to the state-owned Chinese credit insurer, Sinosure, to sustain trade flows that reached US$158 billion in 2024. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea

Why are South Koreans hoarding rubbish bags from supermarkets?

The won is at a 17-year low, parliament is in damage control mode and shop shelves are being stripped clean of plastic bags.

videocam
China exports

What does Iran war mean for China’s export machine?

Crisis sparks debate: will it cripple global demand or show that China’s supply-side resilience, proven during pandemic, remains in place?

US, Israel war on Iran

Macroscope | Trump hasn’t counted on financial blowback from his war with Iran

As Washington fights a war with global economic ramifications, allies may soon begin to reassess their financial support of US coffers.

Iranians work as smoke rises from an oil refinery struck in Tehran, on March 8, amid joint Israeli-US attacks. Photo: EPA
China manufacturing

China’s industrial policy goes global, challenging decades of free market rule

China’s tighter embrace of industrial policy in recent years has transformed its economy – and other countries are following suit.

6
Illustration: Henry Wong
The Philippines

‘Ghost projects’ push Philippines to record US$26.5 billion budget deficit

A widening deficit and falling revenue are ‘direct, quantifiable effects’ of an investigation into the flood-control scandal, economists say.

videocam
Banking & finance

Macroscope | How global debt is sowing the seeds of financial collapse

Markets have so far shrugged off wars and trade conflicts, but the rapid rise of already massive debt should alarm investors.

Banking & finance

‘Stability risk’: US faces rising concern as global debt soars to record high

Global debt accumulation ‘accelerated sharply’ in 2025, driven by surging investment in the US, China and Europe, report finds.

9
Massive investment in artificial intelligence data centres has contributed to a rapid build-up in global debt levels over the past year, according to a new report. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Paul Chan defends budget strategy as Hongkongers slam lack of ‘sweeteners’

‘I am disappointed that giving out money or consumption vouchers has fallen off the radar,’ resident says.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan has said the government’s relief measures totalled HK$22 billion and that it must remain financially cautious. Photo: Sam Tsang
China consumption

IMF urges China to focus on consumption-led rebalancing, curb industrial policy

Global monetary body calls on Beijing to roll out more forceful fiscal stimulus to bolster domestic demand amid record trade surplus.

videocam
China-EU relations

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

videocam
22
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement