Popis: |
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is dedicated to five main purposes: (a) to promote multilateral monetary co-operation; (b) to facilitate international trade and high levels of employment in member countries; (c) to promote exchange stability, maintain orderly exchange arrangements; (d) to correct disequilibrium in balances of external surplus or deficit on the part of individual countries; and (e) to establish a financial support system for countries to correct maladjustments in their balance of payments. The history of the IMF, which commenced its financial operations in March 1947, falls into four substantive phases: (1) 1947-1973; (2) 1974-1978; (3) 1979-2005; and (4) 2006 to present. These are discussed in this chapter. The chapter also discusses the deep institutional crisis which is faced by the IMF today. Keywords: International Monetary Fund (IMF); international trade; multilateral monetary co-operation |