International Monetary Fund Few Changes Evident in Design of New Lending Program for Poor Countries

The effectiveness & appropriateness of the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) lending programs to poor countries have been widely debated. This report (1) analyzes how the IMF's new Poverty Reduction & Growth Facility is designed to be different from the Fund's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility, (2) assesses what has actually changed in recipient countries' programs, & (3) evaluates whether the changes implemented in the new program increase the likelihood of recipient countries graduating from (that is, no longer being eligible for) concessional borrowing in less than 15 years or have contributed to a more short-term lending focus for the Fund. Charts & tables.Melito, Thomas is the author of 'International Monetary Fund Few Changes Evident in Design of New Lending Program for Poor Countries' with ISBN 9780756715410 and ISBN 0756715415.