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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.
A student at Seoul National University’s Inter-university Semiconductor Research Centre washes a semiconductor chip diced from a wafer in South Korea. Photo: AFP
A screen reads AI at a semiconductor exhibition in Seoul, South Korea, on October 16. Photo: AP
A staff member at Seoul National University’s Inter-university Semiconductor Research Centre holds up a semiconductor wafer. Photo: AFP
South Korea

AI chip surge lifts South Korea to record surplus, behind only China

Soaring memory prices pushed quarterly earnings past Germany and Japan combined for the first time.

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Saudi Arabia

Gulf economies accelerate diversification as recession looms over Iran war

Defence

Opinion | China’s J-35 stealth fighter exports bumps up against the US factor

World Bank Group

Opinion | From the pandemic to Iran war, the global economy has suffered massive losses

The distance between the old economic forecasts and where we are now highlights our shared economic loss since 2020.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Yuan

Former IMF executive says China and world need internationalised yuan

Zhu Min, also a former deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China, makes call as central bank upgrades digital-yuan infrastructure.

Banking & finance

Former PBOC governor warns of potential AI investment crisis, urges preparation

The former head of the central bank urges preparations to mitigate risks and warns of exposure to potential failed AI investments.

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Energy

Opinion | Energy shock could spark Asia’s next debt crisis

The IMF and World Bank need to step up debt surveillance as rising energy costs drain foreign exchange reserves and make debt repayments harder.

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A protest against higher fuel prices in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 3. Photo: EPA
Middle East

Saudi closes Riyadh skyscraper as chopper pilots killed near Yemen

The Saudi coalition’s war with the Iran-backed Houthis has reignited during the US-Iran war, with regular attacks reported by both sides.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong ‘optimistic’ on economic growth despite global slowdown, Paul Chan says

Finance chief says city is well placed to channel global capital, support mainland Chinese firms going abroad and fund AI infrastructure in developing economies.

Mainland China

Why is Hong Kong hosting the Apec Finance Ministers’ Meeting? There is another agenda

Decision for Hong Kong to host this week’s meeting is part of a broader strategy to bolster the city’s standing as an offshore renminbi hub, experts say.

Illustration: Brian Wang
European Union

European delegates walk out on Russian finance minister at IMF summit

Nearly a dozen delegates left the room when Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov began ⁠speaking at the steering ⁠committee meeting.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov attends a cabinet ministers meeting in Moscow on September 24. Photo: Sputnik / Reuters
Thailand

‘Thai people already poor’: developing nations protest IMF’s austerity call

The IMF should focus on climate financing and tax reforms rather than demand governments cut subsidies and social spending, critics say.

Artificial intelligence

Macroscope | Why the AI investment boom could spark the next financial crisis

The AI ‘everything trade’ looks increasingly shaky as hyperscalers search for external financing, risking debt spillover to other markets.

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Bangladesh

Energy shock tests Bangladesh’s US$1 trillion economy ambitions

Surging inflation and rising prices are straining government finances as the new leadership battles to reform the country.

A vendor pulls an oil pushcart in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh, on September 17. Photo: EPA
United States

IMF head urges US and rich nations to rein in deficits as global debt soars

High interest rates and fiscal indiscipline in major economies are squeezing low-income countries forced to prioritise repayments over aid.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks at a press briefing during the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

Asia must guard against repeat of 1997 crisis: Philippine central bank chief

The pre-crash boom of the 1990s ‘wasn’t really a miracle’, Eli Remolona says, urging Asean to prepare for fresh shocks.

China inflation

China’s factory-gate prices rise faster, but consumer inflation subdued

Statistician attributes producer price index growth to higher commodities prices, boost to demand from AI-related infrastructure.

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Global monetary policy

Why the IMF is worried about a global debt squeeze as bond yields climb

Higher bond yields raise debt-servicing costs and increase fiscal pressure across advanced and emerging economies, global lender says.

An attendee at the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | China’s finance minister to deliver opening speech at Apec meeting in Hong Kong

Draft agenda shows Lan Foan will address finance ministers at the meeting as IMF, World Bank and Asian development lenders present economic outlooks and policy proposals.

Thailand

AI fuelling growth while putting Asia’s young workers at risk, IMF meeting hears

AI investment is propping up global growth amid energy shocks, but leaders at the IMF summit warn of a job tsunami threatening Asia’s youth.

Yuan

Can China use a widening US yield gap to build on the yuan’s global role?

Beijing could leverage the yuan’s low interest rate to increase the currency’s worldwide use, an expert says.

The widening US-China yield gap could strengthen yuan financing, an expert says. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

‘Nothing is left’: deadly floods slam Thai economy ahead of IMF meeting

Monsoon floods in Thailand have killed 60, battered key industries and sparked unrest ahead of next week’s IMF-World Bank meeting.

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A resident navigates floodwaters in the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok, Thailand, on September 29. Photo: EPA
Thailand

Possible floods threaten IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok

Large trucks and four-wheel-drive vehicles will be deployed to transport over 15,000 delegates if roads flood this weekend.

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China consumption

Boosting China’s social safety net could address consumption woes: IMF director

The global organisation found that savings of rural households decrease when social and healthcare spending is higher.

Belt and Road 2026

How Hong Kong can capitalise on Kazakh asset sales

The city’s deep capital markets and SOE listing expertise offer Central Asia’s largest economy a proven pipeline to global investors.

Raygorodok gold mine in northern Kazakhstan. The operation is a rare example in Central Asia of a long-standing private mining venture. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to propel belt and road market expansion, finance chief says

Paul Chan’s pledge comes ahead of 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong this week.

Hong Kong will host 11th Belt and Road Summit this week, an annual event that promotes business among participating nations. Photo: Kit Lai
China trade

China rejects G20 trade-imbalance claims, says no need to devalue yuan

Beijing ‘deeply regrets’ a consensus was not reached after opposing some of the language used, and China urges deficit countries to cut spending.

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South Korea

South Korea sets record US$600 billion budget, backed by chip windfall

The spending plan ‌represents a 12.8 per cent rise from 2026, marking the largest year-on-year increase in the country’s history.

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