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Thousands of residents blocked Austria’s Brenner motorway on Saturday (30 May), shutting down a major north-south transport route through the Alps i...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has completed the Seventh Review of the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Ukraine, enabling a disbursement of about $0.4 billion, which will be allocated for budget support.
This will bring the total disbursements under the IMF-supported program to $10.1 billion.
Ukraine’s IMF-supported program helps anchor policies that sustain fiscal, external, and macro-financial stability at a time of exceptionally high uncertainty. The EFF aims to support Ukraine’s economic recovery, enhance governance, and strengthen institutions with the aim of promoting long-term growth in the context of reconstruction and Ukraine’s path to EU accession, said IMF in statement.
“Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to take a devastating social and economic toll on Ukraine. In spite of this, macroeconomic stability is being preserved through skillful policymaking as well as substantial external support. The economy has remained resilient, but the recent growth slowdown is expected to persist in 2025 due to headwinds from energy needs and a tight labor market. Contingency planning is key to enable appropriate policy action should risks materialize," - Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, following the Executive Board discussion on Ukraine.
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has tightened monetary policy to respond to the rise in inflation, which remains mainly driven by food prices, while inflation expectations remain well anchored. Reserves remain adequate, sustained by continued sizeable external support. Overall, the outlook remains subject to exceptionally high uncertainty, the statement reads.
According to IMF statement, Ukraine’s performance under the program remains strong. The program remains fully funded, with a total external financing package of $148.8 billion under the baseline scenario and $162.9 billion in the downside scenario over the four-year period. This includes the full utilization of approximately $50 billion from the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans for Ukraine initiative.
IMF Executive Board welcomed the enactment of the tobacco excise tax law as a positive step to reinforce the authorities' commitment to implementing the National Revenue Strategy. To meet high-priority spending needs, the strategy’s accelerated implementation is considered as essential, including modernizing tax and customs services, reducing tax evasion, and aligning legislation with EU standards. Additionally, strengthening public investment management, improving medium-term budget planning, and enhancing fiscal risk management will contribute to sustainable growth, investment, and fiscal stability.
"While the financial sector remains stable, continued vigilance is necessary due to heightened risks. Addressing institutional weaknesses in the securities market regulator is crucial. Looking ahead, strengthening Ukraine’s capital markets infrastructure will be a key step in attracting foreign investment for reconstruction," - IMF stated and recommended to continue anti-corruption and governance reforms, including appointing a new head for the Economic Security Bureau, completing the audit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and amending the criminal procedure code.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, performed to a crowd of 118,000 people in Istanbul on Saturday night, marking his first concert in Europe in more than a decade, despite being barred from performing in several countries over past antisemitic remarks.
European companies are continuing to deepen their presence in China, with nearly seven in ten firms maintaining or expanding their supply chains despite global efforts to diversify, according to a new survey by the EU Chamber of Commerce.
BP has removed its chair, Albert Manifold, with immediate effect, citing concerns over governance and conduct. The company said its board had unanimously decided that Manifold should no longer serve as chair or director.
The dual-class share structure outlined in SpaceX’s initial public offering (IPO) filing, which gives chief executive Elon Musk outsized control, has reignited one of Wall Street’s longest-running debates over corporate governance.
Kevin Warsh will be sworn in as chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve on Friday as policymakers consider higher interest rates to tackle inflation linked to the Trump administration’s Iran policy.
A government-mediated agreement has suspended an 18-day walkout by about 48,000 Samsung union members, easing fears of damage to South Korea's economy and global chip supply.
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