IMF, World Bank meetings in Washington

New Delhi: The role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in crisis management, combating money laundering and financing of terrorism are some of the major issues for discussion at the annual spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF beginning in Washington on 20 April 2002.

Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, who will also attend the G-24 ministers meet and the extended session of G-7 group of countries, leads the Indian team. India will play a leading role in articulating the concerns of the emerging economies at the three-day meet, which will deliberate upon global economic outlook, and risks and vulnerabilities in the world economy.

While the policy responses to the emerging challenges in the global economy will dominate the agenda of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, the development committee of the World Bank will take up the issue of enhancing the effectiveness of development assistance and ensuring that resources are available to meet the millennium development goals.

Sinha will hold discussions with World Bank president James Wolfensohn on national and global economic issues and participate in several bilateral meetings. Sinha will also address business leaders and interact with US industry captains and financial institutions.