1. Low-Income Countries in Asia and the Role of the IMF
Wanda Tseng
Deputy Director
IMF Asia and Pacific Department
September 14, 2006

2. Outline Recent performance of low-income PRGF countries in Asia
Key policy challenges
Role of the Fund

3. Low Income Countries in Asia

4. Growth performance has been generally encouraging.....

5. And the region as a whole have already met the MDG poverty goal.

6. There are also encouraging signs of progress on human development indicators.

7. Some Caveats, however,
Gains in poverty reduction have not been always even
Global environment could become less benign
Suspension of the Doha Round trade talks is a set back
Avian Flu pandemic

8. ... and a large development gap remains.

9. Further growth and poverty reduction
Key Policy Challenges
Developing human capital
Maintaining sound macroeconomic policies
Further growth and poverty reduction
Building strong institutions

10. Case study I: Vietnam What was the issue?
Support for the Doi-Moi reform program
How did we help?
Intensive support under IMF financial programs ( ).
Technical Assistance
General policy advice

11. Case study II: Cambodia
What was the issue?
Strengthening public finances
How did we help?
Technical Cooperation Action Program, designed jointly with the authorities and donors.

12. Case study III: Bangladesh
What was the issue?
Expiration of quotas under WTO’s Multifiber Agreement
How did we help?
IMF lent Bangladesh $78 million under the Trade Integration Mechanism in April 2004.

13. Thank you