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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.
Passengers board a government bus in Islamabad on Friday. Photo: AFP
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.

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China-Latin America relations

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

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South Korea

Why are South Koreans hoarding rubbish bags from supermarkets?

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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?

A car carrier loaded with vehicles for export sets sail from Yantai Port in east China’s Shandong province on February 10. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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.

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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.

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A shopkeeper looks at his smartphone while waiting customers in Manila. The Philippines’ budget deficit hit a record high last year. Photo: EPA
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.

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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.

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Customers check out at a duty-free store during the Spring Festival holiday in Haikou in Hainan province, as the IMF issues an urgent recommendation to China. Photo: Xinhua
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.

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Ukraine war

Where Ukraine and Russia stand as war enters fifth year

Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

Japan

Macroscope | Why the IMF is right to press Japan on its fiscal risks

The fiscal and monetary policies of advanced economies have global repercussions, and Takaichi’s expansionary fiscal agenda risks market pushback.

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Japan’s Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party Sanae Takaichi speaks during an election campaign event in Tokyo on February 7. Photo: Reuters
Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces daunting post-election challenges in economy, garment sector

A key concern for Dhaka is the upgrade to developing nation status, with the key garment sector set to face stiffer competition.

Garment workers tailor clothes in a factory in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan’s Takaichi pushes to scrap food tax, ignoring economists’ warnings

The newly reappointed prime minister is gambling 5 trillion yen a year on a popular election promise that could backfire badly.

Gold in Hong Kong

Copper, lithium unlikely to match gold’s gains as output rises: Goldman

Record gold prices have lifted sentiment across raw materials, but analysts expect differentiated returns as producers ratchet up output.

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China economy

Fading US dollar trust threatens world economy, ex-IMF official Zhu Min warns

Former Chinese central banker says military spending, government debt and interest rates are also among risks to financial markets.

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Zhu Min, seen here at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, is the former deputy director of the International Monetary Fund and former deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China. Photo: World Economic Forum/Sandra Blaser
India

Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

The adverse impact of pollution could lead to significant health and economic costs for India if left unchecked.

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China-Latin America relations

Open Questions | How China’s 15-fold rise in Latin America dents US influence: Francisco Urdinez

A leading scholar says US action in Venezuela shows how Beijing’s economic ties now face rising geopolitical pushback.

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India

EU envoys top guests at India celebration to seal trade deal

India and the EU have tried to cut dependence on Russia and the US respectively by diversifying imports and pushing their own domestic manufacturing.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrive for a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on February 28 last year. Photo: Reuters
United States

Macroscope | Distracted at Davos, leaders are ignoring one critical issue

More attention needs to be paid to the state of US and global finances.

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US President Donald Trump (right) greets leaders as he arrives for a Board of Peace charter announcement at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22. Photo: AP
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Indonesia’s Prabowo pitches stability at Davos amid rising global tensions

Prabowo says Indonesia aims to stamp out corruption and ‘greedanomics’, and calls for trade integration to help boost global prosperity.

China GDP

IMF raises China’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.5%, citing US ‘truce’ and stimulus

The fund predicts lower US tariffs and efforts to raise consumer spending may boost economy, though forecast short of last year’s growth.

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US-Venezuela conflict

Opinion | Why the US really wants Venezuela’s oil

To win the geopolitical contest, a country needs ample resources, a self-sustaining production system – and the backing of a wider economic bloc.

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An activist, wearing a cutout mask depicting US President Donald Trump and tied with a rope, kneels next to a container with the words, “My Oil”, in an rally to condemn the US military action in Venezuela, in Seoul, South Korea, on January 5. Photo: Reuters
United States

Macroscope | Multilateral institutions’ critique of Trump’s actions is too muted

US funding of multinational bodies seems to be keeping their critique muted. The power of the purse should not ensure immunity from criticism.

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US President Donald Trump dances at the Detroit Economic Club in Detroit, Michigan, on January 13. Photo: Reuters
Pakistan

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system.

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China manufacturing

Fears over China’s trade surplus misplaced as West also driving trend: analysts

China’s global manufacturing dominance is a tale of two halves; reliant on home-grown industrial growth and Western consumption, experts say.

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