IMF

IMF first deputy managing director Dan Katz suggests that users may favor digital dollars due to their liquidity, network effects, and cross-border acceptance. He stated that domestic stablecoins could potentially boost demand for dollar-backed tokens.

Bolivia and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement for a US$1.9 billion 36-month Extended Fund Facility on 29 July 2026. The deal requires approval from the IMF’s Executive Board and Bolivia’s Congress before funds are disbursed.

Ghana’s central bank incurred losses of 22 billion cedis ($1.9 billion) in 2025 under a domestic gold purchase program aimed at boosting the country’s foreign-exchange reserves.

India’s GDP is projected to reach $5.1 trillion by 2028-29 according to the IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook database, as stated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a Rajya Sabha written reply.

Asia drives 60% of global growth, but CEOs in the region face geopolitical challenges like tariffs, trade disputes, and supply chain disruptions. To remain competitive, firms are advised to specialize across multiple markets, adopt the China+1 strategy, and diversify manufacturing and supply chains to mitigate risks.

Saudi Arabia's GDP contracted 4.8% in Q2 due to reduced oil output from the Strait of Hormuz closure, the sharpest decline since the pandemic. The non-oil economy grew 0.6% annually, while the IMF noted resilience but warned of economic uncertainty.

The government approved Rs255 billion in subsidies for exporters, potentially violating IMF program commitments that prohibit new fiscal incentives. Two schemes, the Long-Term Export Growth Financing Facility and the repackaged Exim Bank Export Finance Scheme (E-EFS), breach IMF restrictions on subsidies and guaranteed returns, despite claims of compliance with quantitative caps.

The power sector's circular debt increased by Rs61bn in the last fiscal year, breaching the IMF's Rs1.61tr cap. The Power Division attributes this to a Rs98bn federal subsidy cut, but systemic issues like distribution losses, transmission bottlenecks, and reliance on imported fuels persist, preventing sustainable debt reduction.

The Central Bank of Argentina paused daily dollar purchases for the first time since January 2, 2026. Argentina's gross foreign reserves reached US$48.9 billion, a high since 2019, after accumulating US$13 billion this year. The IMF praised the reserve buildup.

The IMF warned that Brazil’s stablecoin market has expanded rapidly since 2017, with cross-border crypto flows growing faster than traditional capital flows.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva endorsed President Javier Milei's austerity and reform agenda, stating Argentina is better positioned to meet its debt obligations after years of defaults. This was during her visit to Buenos Aires, the first by an IMF chief in eight years.

The S&P 500 declined to 7,413.18, described as a market rotation rather than panic. The IMF projects 2026 inflation at 4.7%, supporting the Fed and dollar stability, which impacts Brazil's real, Selic interest rate, and capital flows.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye established a new political party called Kiiraay, intensifying his separation from former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The split follows disagreements over managing Senegal’s debt crisis, which has pushed the country’s debt above 130% of GDP and disrupted IMF programs.

Bolivia paid more in external debt service than it received in fresh loans during the first half of 2026, resulting in a $67 million shortfall. This financial strain is exacerbating a dollar-liquidity crisis, prompting the government to consider IMF support and additional multilateral loans.

The IMF has downgraded 2026 global growth to 3.0%, with Wall Street consolidating, the dollar strengthening, and oil volatility persisting.

Bolivia's floating dollar rate has fallen below 11 bolivianos per US dollar, the lowest since the end of a 15-year fixed exchange rate in June 2026 via Ministerial Resolution 245. Economy Minister Gabriel Espinoza mentioned the IMF program on July 22.

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva is set to visit Argentina, endorsing its reserve rebuild while flagging doubts on the fiscal accounts.

J.P. Morgan warns that global interest rates will rise due to declining fiscal discipline and aging populations. The IMF reported $251 trillion in global debt, with deficits and de-population among six factors reshaping the economy. Advanced economies face labor shortages and rising public spending demands from aging populations.

Morocco’s High Commission for Planning (HCP) forecasts GDP growth to slow to 3% in 2027, down from 4.8% in 2026. The IMF, World Bank, and AfDB project higher growth of 4–4.5% for 2027, with the HCP being the most conservative. The slowdown is linked to agriculture normalizing after previous anomalies.

Saudi courts received 1.6 million debt collection requests in 2025, reflecting rising financial obligations linked to Vision 2030's workforce reforms. While female employment grew significantly, men face increased debt as they remain legally responsible for household expenses despite economic pressures and competition with women in the job market.

Dominican Republic's GDP grew 4.1% in Q1 2026, up from 2.2% in 2025. The Central Bank projects 4.0-5.0% annual growth, while the IMF forecasts 4.5%. The government approved a supplementary budget for additional public investment, and foreign direct investment (FDI) reached record levels.

Bolivia's Minister of the Presidency José Luis Lupo called an IMF agreement 'indispensable' as the country's foreign exchange crisis worsens. Bolivia is negotiating a US$3.3 billion package, likely an Extended Fund Facility, with foreign exchange reserves falling to US$2.3 billion by October 2025.

The IMF upgraded Egypt’s 2026 growth projection to 4.6% in its July 2026 World Economic Outlook. Egypt’s $8 billion Extended Fund Facility with the IMF has unlocked $2.3 billion in disbursements, with growth driven by non-oil manufacturing, tourism, telecommunications, and recovering remittances.

The death toll from an earthquake in Venezuela has surpassed 5,000, and the IMF has released £346 million in emergency funds to support the disaster response. New details about the disaster response are emerging.

Delcy Rodríguez assumed Venezuela’s interim presidency after U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. She promoted Venezuela as a stable investment destination at a Saudi-backed conference, emphasizing energy and commodity opportunities, while the IMF resumed dealings with the country.

Guatemala's real GDP grew 4.5% in the first quarter of 2026, down from 3.8% a year earlier. Construction saw the fastest growth at 7%, driven by a public-private motorway. The central bank forecasts 4.1% annual growth, while an IMF mission reduced its projection.

Honduras has received a $242 million IMF disbursement aimed at boosting investor confidence, though business leaders emphasize that power reform remains a critical challenge. The funds are intended to attract investors back to the country.

An IMF working paper highlights that dollar stablecoins may enhance access to foreign currency but could also facilitate coordinated exits from local currencies during severe exchange-rate stress. The paper warns of potential risks associated with dollar stablecoins amplifying currency runs in periods of financial instability.

The government increased petrol prices by Rs13.18 per litre to Rs310.71 and diesel by Rs13.80 to Rs323.30, effective July 11. The hikes follow a rise from Rs281 for diesel and Rs266 for petrol after the US-Iran war began on February 28, with diesel peaking at Rs520.35 and petrol at Rs458.41 in April. IMF conditions led to a doubled climate support levy of Rs5 per litre from July 1, alongside reduced petroleum levies.

Africa faces potential economic and political instability from renewed US-Iran tensions, with sub-Saharan oil-importing nations at risk. The IMF warns of disrupted energy and fertilizer markets exacerbating food insecurity, while Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote's proposed $17 billion refinery in Kenya aims to reduce regional reliance on imported petroleum.

The Pakistani budget provides tax relief for high-income salaried employees earning over Rs200,000 monthly but overlooks the majority of households earning less than Rs100,000. The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) allocates Rs838 billion, increasing quarterly payouts to Rs18,000 for 10 million low-income families, while power sector subsidies and education/health allocations remain insufficient for broader economic needs.

World Bank and IMF loans are influencing policymaking in Africa as governments evaluate the trade-offs of concessional financing amid rising debt pressures.

The US military conducted strikes on Iran for a second day, with explosions reported in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and Bushehr province. Donald Trump accused Iran of 'behaving very badly' after attacks on cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to the most extensive exchange of fire since an interim ceasefire. US stock markets fell, Brent crude prices rose over 5%, and the IMF lowered its global growth forecast to 3%.

The IMF resumed dealings with Venezuela on April 16, guided by members holding a majority of voting power. Venezuela holds $4.9bn in reserve tranche and drawing rights, with Caracas announcing a $200m initial draw for reconstruction. Britain applied a different rule in the process.

The article discusses the expansion of the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) coercive and surveillance powers in Pakistan, particularly through a new production monitoring system. It critiques the reliance on enhanced enforcement and audit measures for revenue generation, arguing that such approaches are insufficient and that the government has failed to deliver meaningful tax policy reforms.

Regional states like Pakistan and Türkiye are positioning to benefit from new economic opportunities as US-Iran negotiations progress. Pakistan aims to leverage macroeconomic stability and reforms to achieve investment-led growth while avoiding a rentier-state model. Regional partnerships with Iran, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia are highlighted as immediate economic opportunities.

The IMF has reduced its 2026 global economic growth forecast to 3 percent, citing the energy shock from the Iran war, though AI demand is helping to offset some of the negative impacts.

The IMF reduced its 2026 global growth forecast to 3% due to high energy prices from the Iran conflict, which is slowing economic growth and raising inflation. The fund noted AI demand helped avoid a sharper downturn and expects growth to rebound in 2027, while the US Federal Reserve remains divided over interest rate adjustments amid uncertainty about prolonged energy price impacts.

The IMF has reduced its 2026 global growth forecast to 3% due to uncertainty from the war in Iran, while projecting a rebound in 2027. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addresses threats from Donald Trump regarding US trade cuts, and France's power system faces strain from a heatwave.

The collapse of the Iran ceasefire and tanker strikes near Hormuz caused a spike in oil prices and cut IMF growth projections to 3%. However, Latin America experienced a windfall from these developments.