CENTRAL BANK Argentina raises key rate to 78% for first time since September 16-03-2023 17:43 Argentina raised its benchmark rate on Thursday for the first time since September after annual inflation surpassed 100%.
IMF DEBT REVIEW IMF ready to ease targets after review of Argentina's debt deal 13-03-2023 21:11 International Monetary Fund confirms staff-level agreement with Argentina on fourth review of debt programme and calls for “modification of net international reserve accumulation target”; News paves way for new US$5.3-billion disbursement later this month.
IMF DEBT DEAL Argentina to change IMF net reserve target for third time 26-02-2023 08:46 Argentina and the IMF are discussing a smaller figure for net reserve accumulation in 2023, a cornerstone of the deal seen as the only major anchor providing some stability to the economy.
CRISIS IN VENEZUELA 'Food for the soul:' caring for elderly left behind in Venezuela exodus 21-02-2023 10:16 The CONVITE NGO is helping to take care of Venezuela's elderly – thousands of them abandoned amid an exodus of younger people seeking better lives elsewhere, with little help from the country's "precarious" elderly care system.
DEBT DEAL IMF board approves US$6 billion in fresh funds for Argentina 23-12-2022 00:50 International Monetary Fund announces that its board of directors has signed off on third review of Argentina's debt assistance programme and releases new US$6-billion disbursement of funds.
IMF DEBT PROGRAMME IMF clears way for latest US$6-billion disbursement 03-12-2022 23:17 "Prudent macroeconomic management and efforts to mobilise external financing are supporting stability," declares IMF mission team as latest staff review is signed off.
IMF DEBT PROGRAMME Argentina’s US$44-billion IMF deal gets latest staff approval seal 03-12-2022 08:07 Third review of nation's US$44-billion debt programme now goes to the IMF’s executive board for approval, which is expected to meet this month; Upon completion, Argentina will have access to about US$6 billion, the IMF said.
Central Bank reserves Argentina to brings back exchange rate that led to IMF exception 26-11-2022 08:01 Economy Minister Sergio Massa to revive 'soy dollar' currency measure to boost soy exports and prop up Central Bank reserves that generated backlash from the International Monetary Fund.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IMF urges Argentina against ad-hoc FX policy with 100% inflation 14-10-2022 10:40 With inflation forecasts reaching 100% for the year, IMF Western Hemisphere Director Ilan Goldfajn cautions Argentine officials against “different FX measures or prices."
WHEN ALBERTO MET KRISTALINA ‘Doing well’ – IMF chief backs Argentina's course in meeting with president 19-09-2022 17:05 IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva briefs media on “excellent” meeting with President Alberto Fernández; Reiterates praise for Economy Minister Sergio Massa, declaring: “Three ministers, one programme.” by Rosario Ayerdi
BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS Argentina needs to stick to IMF agreement, says minister 11-07-2022 15:32 In her first press conference, Silvina Batakis said Argentina would continue working to balance its fiscal accounts, promote positive real interest rates, and move forward with reducing energy subsidies.
THE CHALLENGES AHEAD New minister Batakis takes office in an Argentina full of uncertainty 07-07-2022 23:34 Silvina Batakis faces a number of key challenges and decisions; Issues like inflation, the IMF deal, the fiscal deficit and subsidies top her in-tray.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF ‘looking forward’ to working with Batakis at ‘difficult moment’ 07-07-2022 16:06 New economy minister speaks with multilateral lender’s chief Kristalina Georgieva, who says Batakis confirmed her “commitment” to IMF refinancing programme.
NEW ECONOMY MINISTER Inflation, export duties and IMF: Silvina Batakis’ economic definitions 06-07-2022 23:00 Martín Guzmán’s successor considers that the escalation of prices is a multi-causal phenomenon and defends strong state regulation of the economy. For her, “wages must run ahead of inflation.”
BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS Argentina's subsidy cuts mired in doubt under new minister 06-07-2022 22:14 Several analysts insist that a question mark hangs over Silvina Batakis’ commitment to spending cuts penned by Martín Guzmán and the IMF.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF board approves first review of Argentina debt programme 24-06-2022 16:15 Executive board of International Monetary Fund signs off on first quarterly review, approving Martín Guzmán figures for US$44.5-billion debt programme and paying way for new disbursement of funds.
BLOOMBERG Argentina finishes first IMF review as path to targets may shift 09-06-2022 09:07 IMF staff and Argentine authorities agree that the annual objectives established at approval of the arrangement will remain unchanged.
IMF PROGRAMME Argentina clears first review as IMF paves way for US$4-billion in funds 09-06-2022 00:34 IMF confirms it has reached a staff-level agreement with Argentina that will unlock US$4.03 billion in funding; Multilateral lender says government “met all qualitative targets in first quarter."
BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS Price control chief quits in latest sign of infighting 24-05-2022 09:41 Resignation of Domestic Trade Secretary Roberto Feletti is the latest sign of infighting over the government’s economic strategy as annual inflation approaches 60 percent.
IMF DEBT IMF: Targets in Argentina’s debt deal ‘have not changed’ 19-05-2022 16:09 Fund Spokesperson Gerry Rice says staff are making “good progress” in review of debt restructuring deal, but that its “objectives have not changed.”
IMF DEBT Government trusts in recalibration as IMF audits accounts 17-05-2022 15:57 Official data revealed six percent inflation for April; Once chapter of raising public utility rates is closed, International Monetary Fund will focus on nation’s deficient accumulation of reserves.
BLOOMBERG Argentina’s US$44-billion debt plan remains unchanged despite shocks, IMF says 26-04-2022 17:19 Targets in recently minted US$44-billion agreement will remain unchanged even as some assumptions of the programme may be revised, says IMF Western Hemisphere Director Ilan Goldfajn.
IMF DEBT DEAL Guzmán tells IMF: ‘We will prioritise social spending’ 22-04-2022 23:34 Economy minister meets with International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva, tells her Argentina’s government has complied with targets laid out in US$44.5-billion debt restructuring deal.
DEBT RESTRUCTURING Argentina extends Paris Club talks over US$2 billion to June 30 23-03-2022 14:02 Argentina reaches an agreement Tuesday with a group of wealthy nations known as the Paris Club to finalise by June 30 a repayment programme on US$2 billion of debt.
DEBT RESTRUCTURING Argentina to resume Paris Club talks over US$2-billion debt 22-03-2022 15:50 Argentina is resuming negotiations this week with a wealthy group of nations known as the Paris Club over US$2 billion in outstanding debt as a grace period ends.
IMF DEBT DEAL Government to change IMF bill to get opposition backing 09-03-2022 21:42 Ruling coalition agrees to change the bill that underpins the government’s agreement with the IMF in exchange for the opposition to support it.
IMF DEBT DEAL President likely to outline details of IMF deal in Congress speech 25-02-2022 18:33 Alberto Fernández expected to reveal outlines of Argentina’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund during next Tuesday’s speech to Congress.
POLITICS President seeks unity ahead of Congress speech, IMF debt bill 25-02-2022 18:12 Alberto Fernández tells Peronist youth that Frente de Todos is “weak” when “divided,” as he seeks to build support for the IMF debt refinancing deal ahead of speech opening new congressional year.
Global pandemic UK PM Boris Johnson ends Covid rules in England in major policy shift 21-02-2022 14:38 Boris Johnson confirmed coronavirus rules will end in England, a significant boost to the UK prime minister as he announced the first major Western economy to scrap government restrictions relating to the pandemic.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Inflation reached 3.9% in January, lifting annual rate to 50.7% 15-02-2022 22:08 Consumer prices rose 3.9% in January as inflation accelerated for a second straight month, the INDEC national statistics bureau reported on Wednesday.
BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS Inflation accelerates for second straight month 15-02-2022 21:55 Argentina’s inflation accelerated for the second consecutive month in January as the Central Bank sped up the pace of its controlled currency devaluations.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF board to discuss progress in Argentina programme on Wednesday 15-02-2022 21:30 The International Monetary Fund’s board of directors will meet on Wednesday to discuss the state of negotiations with Argentina.
BLOOMBERG Argentina, IMF reach understanding on fiscal path for deal 28-01-2022 00:51 Argentina and the International Monetary Fund have reached an understanding on when the nation will achieve a balanced primary budget, marking a first key step to renegotiating more than US$40 billion of debt, according to people familiar with the talks.
BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS IMF payment deepens divide within Argentina’s ruling coalition 27-01-2022 16:56 Argentina’s looming deadline to make an interest payment of over US$700 million to the International Monetary Fund on Friday is exposing a growing divide within the ruling coalition.
IMF DEBT TALKS Cerruti says IMF payment depends on progress in talks 27-01-2022 16:37 Government spokesperson refuses to confirm if country will make US$730-million payment to the IMF this Friday, saying decision depends on the progress of talks.
IMF DEBT DEAL Pressure for IMF-Argentina deal as 2022 payments loom 27-01-2022 16:15 With US$730 million due to the International Monetary Fund this Friday, Argentina starts a schedule of payments totalling US$19 billion for 2022.
IMF DEBT TALKS Key week for IMF talks: Argentina due to pay US$731 million on Friday 24-01-2022 14:59 With talks failing to make serious headway, Argentina's government must now decide whether it will make a payment on the principal worth US$731 million this Friday.
CRISTINA WRITES (AGAIN) Fernández de Kirchner slams ‘Pandemia Macrista’ in latest letter 21-01-2022 23:14 With IMF talks entering crucial stage, vice-president’s latest letter declares controversially that “Macri’s pandemic cost more than Covid-19."
IMF DEBT TALKS Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls on IMF to offer 'fair' deal to Argentina 21-01-2022 23:05 Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls on IMF to take "responsibility" for 2018 loan to Macri's government, which Mexican leader says "aggravated" Argentina's economic and financial crisis.
BLOOMBERG Argentina’s bonds slump below 30 cents on doubts over IMF deal 21-01-2022 18:18 Argentine bonds are testing new lows as concern grows that the government will struggle to reach a refinancing deal with the International Monetary Fund before large payments come due in March.
FOREIGN POLICY United States supports 'a vibrant Argentine economy,' Blinken tells Cafiero 18-01-2022 21:30 Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington for talks, with the latter describing Argentina as "a friend and partner" of the United States.
IMF DEBT TALKS Government and opposition at loggerheads over IMF deal 18-01-2022 16:57 Meeting between government and opposition to discuss talks to restructure multi-billion-dollar debt with the International Monetary Fund fall through, casting doubt over bipartisan support for deal.
AGRICULTURE Drought could trim a third of Argentina’s economic growth this year 18-01-2022 15:47 Dryness that’s parching soybeans and corn across Argentina’s Pampas crop belt will shave US$4.8 billion off the nation’s gross domestic product this year, according to one of the first analyses of the economic impact of the drought.
IMF DEBT TALKS Fernández accuses IMF of seeking to ‘impose austerity’ on Argentina 11-01-2022 11:04 President Alberto Fernández accuses IMF of seeking to “impose” a programme of “austerity” on Argentina that would limit future growth.
Bloomberg Argentina's president says IMF is trying to impose a programme 11-01-2022 10:09 Alberto Fernández said Monday that the International Monetary Fund is trying to impose a new programme in the country.
IMF DEBT TALKS Argentina’s bonds slump as economy chief criticises IMF proposals 07-01-2022 16:57 Markets react negatively to government's IMF presentation, as doubts increase over likelihood of a deal before March.
IMF DEBT PRESENTATION ‘Nobody supports it’ – opposition slams government’s IMF debt presentation 07-01-2022 02:26 Economy Minister Martín Guzmán’s presentation detailing the government’s proposal for debt negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) triggers strong criticism from the opposition.
IMF DEBT TALKS Argentina challenges IMF over new deal, details disagreements 05-01-2022 21:59 President Alberto Fernández and Economy Minister Martín Guzmán lay down gauntlet to International Monetary Fund, declaring they won't accept "austerity" that threatens economic recovery.
IMF DEBT TALKS Argentina says IMF economic plan would derail its recovery 05-01-2022 21:10 Economy Minister Martín Guzmán says economic plan proposed by the IMF as part of a US$40-billion debt renegotiation would derail the country’s recovery.
IMF DEBT TALKS Argentina's opposition refuses to attend meeting on IMF talks 04-01-2022 14:28 Leaders from Argentina’s top opposition bloc indicated that they won’t be attending the government’s meeting at the presidential palace on Wednesday to discuss the state of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.