">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
IMF reforms lending to ease credit amid crisis
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
IMF reforms lending to ease credit amid crisis
AFP - Wednesday, March 25
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - The International Monetary Fund said Tuesday it would start offering countries lines of credit without conditions as it revamped its lending practices to battle the global economic crisis.
ADVERTISEMENT
One week before the Group of 20 crisis summit in London, the IMF announced major reforms in the way it lends to its 185 member countries, a key part of its mission of promoting global financial stability.
"These reforms represent a significant change in the way the Fund can help its member countries -- which is especially needed at this time of global crisis," said IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn.
"More flexibility in our lending along with streamlined conditionality will help us respond effectively to the various needs of members. This, in turn, will help them to weather the crisis and return to sustainable growth," he said.
The IMF said G20 leaders were expected to discuss "a major boost" to IMF resources at their April 2 meeting in the British capital, which the IMF and World Bank also will attend.
"A substantial increase in the IMF's resources is required to give full confidence to countries that the Fund will have sufficient money available should they need to borrow," the Washington-based institution said.
Japan in February provided a 100-billion-dollar loan and the European Union last week pledged 75 billion euros (roughly 100 billion dollars). The United States, the largest IMF stakeholder, has called for IMF emergency resources to be increased by up to 500 billion dollars but has not made a specific commitment.
In a sharp break with past lending practices, the IMF unveiled the Flexible Credit Line (FCL), a new instrument designed for member countries deemed as having "very strong fundamentals, policies, and track records of policy implementation."
The credit line has no conditions, no limit on the amount of money that can be borrowed, can be drawn on at any time, and can be used to confront a crisis or as a "precautionary instrument" to prevent one.
The FCL replaces the Short-Term Liquidity Facility (SLF), which since its creation in late October had never been used because it had to be reimbursed swiftly and had a loan limit.
Under the terms of the FCL, the credit line initially can be for six months, or 12 months with a review of eligibility at the six-month mark. Its repayment period extends to between three years and three months, to five years, compared with the SLF's maximum nine-month period.
Strauss-Kahn called on strong-performing countries that may be suffering from the global crisis to use the new credit line, which he said "could strengthen further their economic position."
Another key reform is the "modernization" of the conditions linked to other IMF lending instruments, the Washington-based institution said.
The IMF said it would "rely more on pre-set qualification criteria where appropriate," rather than on performance criteria after the loan is granted.
"In the past, IMF loans often had too many conditions that were insufficiently focused on core objectives," it said, responding to longstanding criticism that its loan conditions at times end up hurting developing countries.
Moves to reform lending instruments for low-income countries were under way.
The IMF said it was eliminating the use of structural performance criteria in all its arrangements, including those with low-income countries, and instead would monitor the implementation of structural policies in the context of program reviews.
The IMF doubled the limits of access to loans, which normally were fixed in relation to the amount of capital contributed by each country to the fund's resources.
The IMF also overhauled repayment structures "to create the right incentives for borrowing from the Fund."
"We arrived at these reforms by listening to our membership, consulting with a variety of stakeholders, and reviewing past experiences," said John Lipsky, first deputy managing director.
"These reforms will pave the way for countries to work more effectively with the Fund on crisis prevention and crisis resolution."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Enlarge Photo
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn speaks in Geneva on March 23, 2009. The International Monetary Fund said Tuesday it would start offering countries lines of credit without conditions as it revamped its lending practices to battle the global economic crisis.
Most Popular – Top Stories
Viewed
Red meat raises death risk, white meat lowers it
AIG to give back 50 mln in bonuses: officials
Airlines face losses of $4.7 billion
AIG to give back $50 mln in bonus cash
Deutsche Bank might have to cut jobs: report
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Wednesday, 25 March 2009 Assessment finds gaps in Darfur aid delivery: UN
| International
|
Turkey says not yet decided on next NATO chief
| International
|
UN envoy says Madagascar risks further conflict
| International
|
Czech government loses confidence vote
| International
|
BMW art cars by Warhol, others in New York exhibit
| Entertainment
|
George Lopez to launch TBS talk show in November
| Entertainment
|
Japanese designer Kenzo trades art for new life
| Entertainment
|
NATO can't measure Afghan war performance: general
| International
|
Sudan's President Bashir to visit Egypt
Violence-plagued Mexico sees hope in U.S. border plan
| International
|
U.S.'s Iran offer can aid Mideast security
U.S. changes stance on reporters held by North Korea
| International
|
Israel's Labor votes to join Netanyahu government
U.S.'s Iran offer can aid Mideast security: ElBaradei
| International
|
Obama to tout economic progress at press grilling
Irish firm and officers charged with sales to Iran
US seeks powers to seize non-bank financial firms
German unions find new allies in crisis
| International
|
Netanyahu enlists Labour Party into Israeli coalition
Economic downturn weighs on Filipino migrant laborers
| International
|
IMF reforms lending to ease credit amid crisis
Assessment finds gaps in Darfur aid delivery: U.N.
| International
|
Sources: Obama to roll out Afghanistan plan Friday
Deutsche Bank might have to cut jobs: report
North Korea warns against U.N. action on rocket
| International
|
Palestinians launch rocket into Israel
EU gives time to rein in ballooning deficits
Indonesian police act on parliament bomb threat
| International
|
Scientists in possible cold fusion breakthrough
Tuberculosis ravages HIV/AIDS patients: WHO
Obama, astronauts talk up green energy in call
Lawmaker: Global warming plan won't be in budget
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 597
Dell unveils new servers, storage for tight budgets
| Technology
|
North Dakota braces for record floods
T-Mobile USA unveils high-speed plans, new device
| Technology
|
Blockbuster aims beyond stores with TiVo deal
| Technology
|
US Embassy spills over onto Mexico City street
Obama to hold online question session Thursday
| Technology
|
Syrian leader: Syria to wait before judging Obama
Upstart OnLive takes aims at global console makers
| Technology
|
Upstart OnLive takes aims at global console makers
US overhauls strategy on Mexican drugs war
Obama to hold online question session Thursday
US: NKorea says US reporters will be treated well
U.S. online video viewing off 12 percent in February:ComScore
Hayfever robots help take the sting out of spring
| Technology
|
"Unafraid" China apparently fears YouTube
Microsoft's WorldWide Telescope to focus on Mars
Google search gets semantic
Second man charged with killing N Ireland police
EU travellers to get cheaper mobile messages
Second man charged with murder of N Ireland police
Radar deal paves way for new wireless system in Italy
France to finally compensate nuclear test victims
Forensics show Spector innocent of murder: lawyer
| Entertainment
|
Report: NKorea suspects US journalists were spying
HBO movie taking on Clintons, Blair
| Entertainment
|
North Korea warns against U.N. action on rocket
Motown drummer Uriel Jones dies in Michigan
| Entertainment
|
NKorea to treat detained journalists well: US
4 Dutch journalists detained in Indonesia's Papua
Supreme Court considers anti-Hillary Clinton movie
| Entertainment
|
Afghan TV station manager arrested over content
The Offspring hitting road after four-year break
| Entertainment
|
Nobel meeting postponed over Dalai Lama visa spat
Forensics show Spector innocent of murder: lawyer
Obama calls Rudd a partner for 'years to come'
Anne Hathaway tapped to play Judy Garland
Dutch journalists detained in Indonesian Papua: police
Indonesia military says no 'direct' payments from US miner
Scandal-hit Japan opposition chief fights on
NZ's consumer confidence slips in Q1-survey
S.Korea bonds fall ahead of gov't supply steps
Violence scars a scared community in 'Zooman'
Korea Hot Stocks
Forensics show Spector innocent of murder: lawyer
Japanese exports suffer another record plunge
An awkward romance sinks B'way's 'Impressionism'
Japan posts first trade surplus in 5 months
The Offspring hitting road after four-year break
Seoul shares open lower; banks take a breather
List of top 20 shows in prime-time Nielsen ratings
S.Korea fin min says to let market decide won
`Dancing' inching up on Fox's `Idol'
World hotel prices slump: survey
South Korean March consumer sentiment ticks down
China's proposal on launching a global currency 'serious'
George Lopez to launch TBS talk show in November
China raises prices of diesel, gasoline
"Wallace & Gromit" in episodic computer game
Phil Spector's attorney: Actress killed herself
Indonesia seeks 20 years for terror suspect
Netanyahu pledges to pursue peace with Palestinians
| International
|
U.S. drone kills at least 7 in Pakistan tribal area
| International
|
AP IMPACT: It's fear that keeps Baghdad's peace
Two Afghan farmers shot dead by NATO-led troops: police
| International
|
Czech leftists say will not back any Topolanek government
| International
|
Explosion in southeastern Turkey seen killing one
Netanyahu pledges to push Mideast peace
Israel unlawfully used shells in Gaza: rights group
| International
|
Boost for Netanyahu as Labour votes to join govt
German Ifo confidence index falls to record low
North Korea places missile on launch pad: report
| International
|
Seven killed in Afghan bus attack: ministry
Snacking during labour is OK, study finds
Sudan's Bashir visits Egypt despite ICC warrant
| International
|
Madagascar's Rajoelina seeks talks to calm crisis
| International
|
Seven Afghans killed in bus bomb: government
Cool welcome for Iraq's returning academics
| International
|
Zimbabwe must clear arrears to get IMF help: Fund
| International
|
Violence-plagued Mexico hopes for U.S. border plan
Urban League asks Obama to address black issues
UK must pry on data to block threats: ex-spy boss
| Technology
|
11-year-old faces life sentence for murder: report
Road rage goes virtual on Aussie motoring website
| Technology
|
Road rage goes virtual on Aussie motoring website
General says NATO can't measure Afghan war performance
YouTube confirms website blocked in China
Nokia invests in mobile money firm Obopay
| Technology
|
US to 'do more' against Mexican drug cartels
Hayfever robots help take the sting out of spring
Facebook vows 'improvements' after user backlash
T-Mobile USA unveils high-speed plans, new device
Mexicans praise US border security measures
Teenage hacker takes on cyber-crime for NZ telco
Dell unveils new servers, storage for tight budgets
Google executives get one-dollar paychecks in 2008
Nokia invests in mobile money firm Obopay
"Cloud-based" console takes aim at Wii, PS3, Xbox 360
Thai fireman dresses as Spiderman to rescue boy
Minister: Guide may have led Americans into NKorea
Cambodia says Thai troops crossed border
Doubling space station crew will further research
Japan readies N.Korean rocket launch response
China fights gerbil plague with 'the pill'
Filipino militants threaten to behead hostage
HBO movie taking on Clintons, Blair
N.Korea preparing for rocket launch: report
Pakistani police clash with protesters; 1 killed
Bomb kills 10 civilians in eastern Afghanistan
Brits dust off their dancing shoes
Top Chinese banks warn on outlook as profits soar
`Idol' finalists savor group prize: concert tour
Philippines warns budget deficit may exceed limit
It's a dog's life for India's growing pet industry
Korean official: G-20 stimulus must be ambitious
Haggard says he suggested divorce after scandal
S.Korea unveils measures to ease bond supply shock
Fear and fun in Acapulco for spring break
Japan not ruling out another rate cut
HBO movie taking on Clintons, Blair
POSCO to convert some of bond proceeds into won-official
Indonesia releases Dutch journalists in Papua
PetroChina 2008 net profit falls 28 pct
Indonesian minister wants to review vaccinations
Taiwan dollar closes at week low, more weakness seen
Chinese stocks fall after 7-day advance
China shares fall after week-long rally
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights