International Monetary Fund

This Weekend Read features Managing Director Georgieva's priorities for Arab countries, new IMF research on the relationship between inflation and bank profitability, the passing of former MD Horst Köhler, DMD Okamura on resilience and growth in Asia, and an F&D article exploring whether housing markets are broken.   Our key takeaway this week: Georgieva calls on Arab countries to be more agile, adaptable, and resilient

Banking systems are largely insulated from inflation, but vulnerabilities at some banks could lead to tradeoffs between containing inflation and protecting financial stability. https://lnkd.in/e4_qdjXF

The MENA region faces the pressing need to create jobs, enhance social safety nets, build resilience, & support economic diversification, at a time of significant global transformation. #WGS2025 Read her remarks: https://lnkd.in/dkJzVsZJ

On February 10-11, the IMF is participating in the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. #AI can increase productivity, boost economic growth, and lift incomes. However, it could also wipe out millions of jobs and widen inequality. Recent IMF research has already shown how AI is poised to reshape the global economy. It could endanger 33 percent of jobs in advanced economies, 24 percent in emerging economies, and 18 percent in low-income countries. But, on the brighter side, it also brings enormous potential to enhance the productivity of existing jobs for which AI can be a complementary tool and to create new jobs and even new industries. Find out more in this Chart of the Week: https://lnkd.in/dddMNwEY #AIActionSummit #SommetActionIA #SemaineActionIA Présidence de la République Chloe Goupille Tiphaine Shérazade AHADDAF Anne Bouverot Arno Amabile Morgane Le Poul Martin Tisné Sana de Courcelles Roxanne VARZA Henri Verdier Charles Thepaut شارل تبو Ministère des Affaires étrangères français Arnaud Buisse Paul Bonmartin Paul-Simon Bénac Frédéric Brotons Herve Tourpe

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva concluded her visit to Ethiopia. During the visit, she held productive talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Ministry of Finance, Ethiopia Minister Ahmed Shide, National Bank of Ethiopia Governor Mamo Mihretu, and other key stakeholders regarding economic reform momentum. At the conclusion of the visit, Managing Director Georgieva said, "I was deeply touched by the hospitality and warmth of the Ethiopian people. አመሰግናለሁ! Thank you!"

Cross-border payments are on track to be transformed by digital money. Learn how in F&D.https://https://lnkd.in/eScjzyEw

Benin's tax-to-GDP ratio rose over 2 percentage points during 2022-24 through tax and digital reforms, exceeding regional improvements. IMF Country Focus examines how this supports youth development and debt sustainability.  https://lnkd.in/ghMMnm_A

Asia’s services-sector growth has drawn about half of the region’s workers into that sector, up from just 22% in 1990, as hundreds of millions moved from farms and factories. This shift is likely to accelerate with further expansion of international trade in modern services such as finance, information, and communication technology, as well as business outsourcing. Policymakers should embrace this shift to modern services because they have higher productivity. https://lnkd.in/ekcSFEnH

Africa is experiencing unprecedented population growth – expanding from 140 million in 1900 to over 1.4 billion today, and projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. To put this growth in perspective: every two years, Africa adds as many people as the entire population of France. While this demographic surge creates significant economic opportunities, success hinges on strategic investments in human capital. By prioritizing education and skills development now, African nations can transform this population boom into sustainable economic growth and prosperity. Read more in F&D magazine. https://lnkd.in/gTh89y5f

Where are the world’s fastest roads? Our analysis using Google Maps data shows that high-speed roads boost productivity, reduce poverty, and contribute to economic development by connecting markets efficiently. Learn how road infrastructure impacts development in your region. https://lnkd.in/egNF5hkq