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An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Norbert Funke, visited Senegal during March 24–April 6, 2011 to conduct the first review under the new three-year Policy Support Instrument (PSI) approved in December 2010. The mission met with the ministers in charge of economy and finance, international cooperation, infrastructure and energy, the National Director of the BCEAO, other government officials, and representatives of the private sector and development partners.

New York: Food prices have dropped for the first time after eight months of continuous rise, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today, pointing out, however, that the prices are still 37 per cent higher than they were in March of last year.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had completed the second review of Moldova's economic performance under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangements. The blended financing arrangements under the ECF and the EFF for an amount equivalent to SDR 369.6 million (about US$587 million) were approved on January 29, 2010.

New York: A growing number of infections are becoming increasingly difficult to cure as a result of worsening drug resistance, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said today, warning that the problem is forcing health professionals to resort to prolonged and expensive treatments and greater risk of death.

Following the record-breaking 14.5% surge in the volume of exports in 2010 world trade growth should settle to a more modest 6.5% expansion in 2011. The sharp rise in trade volumes last year enabled world trade to recover to its pre-crisis level but not its long-term trend and WTO economists believe the recent series of important events around the world lend a greater degree of uncertainty to any forecast.

In concluding the 2010 Article IV consultation with the Czech Republic, Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that the Czech Republic had rebounded from the downturn, but faced a number of policy challenges. Large structural deficits together with demographic trends are creating fiscal pressures and, under unchanged policies, would imply a rising public debt burden. Climbing world commodity prices complicate monetary policy in a situation of still nascent recovery and low core inflation. Sustaining robust productivity and GDP growth will require significant policy efforts. The authorities have prepared an ambitious policy agenda to tackle the challenges, but implementation of the necessary reforms may not be easy.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Japan are providing assistance to develop new livelihood opportunities and improve income in some of Nepal's poorest and most disadvantaged communities.

Puducherry, the tiny Union Territory adjacent to Tamil Nadu is getting spruced up for the Assembly elections. The state, which still has remnants of its French occupation, has mostly Tamil speaking people. Puducherry is to Tamil Nadu what Goa is to Maharashtra, a total shadow. So tiny is the state that it is being ignored while doing the poll analysis of the ensuing assembly elections.

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today approved the Comprehensive Mission Document of the National Water Mission.

New Delhi: The Annual Plan of Punjab for the year 2011-12 has been approved in a meeting between the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the Chief Minister of Punjab Sardar Prakash Singh Badal, here today. The Annual Plan size was agreed at Rs.11520 crores.