IMF Seeks $500-B Fund Upgrade to Deter Global Meltdown
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seeking to further fatten its existing resources, a move that according to IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde will provide sufficient buffer in the event a serious downturn will develop from the ongoing euro crisis.
According to Bloomberg, the IMF maintains at least $385 billion on its war chest but Ms Lagarde believes that upping that level to at least $500 billion will at least offer a robust protection for global economies should the crisis deepens.
At present, the immediate years ahead would require the IMF to come up with some $1 trillion that can be extended to troubled economies as assistance, Ms Lagarde said.
Her planned additional cash buffer for the IMF, Bloomberg wrote, would amount to $600 billion and the bulk of this cash flow would hopefully come from countries now enjoying better financial stability.
On top of IMF's list are Brazil, China, India, Japan and Russia and possibly the international lender would make a pitch for major oil exporting countries to make their contribution.
The new set of possible contributors was pushed forward in light of declarations made by key G20 member nations that Europe and other regions need to step up their participation in addressing the economic challenges the world is facing.
Major euro contributors have already indicated their willingness to pour in their share, pledging some $192 billion for the proposed IMF lending chest upgrade.
But Canada believes that more should come from the eurozone, with its central bank governor affirming that "it makes sense to enhance the resources of the IMF," if only to check the possible spillover in case of a meltdown in the region.
The United States has earlier indicated that no more bilateral loans can be expected from its end as the U.S. Treasury reiterated on Thursday its stance that "Europe has the capacity to solve its problems."
"The IMF cannot substitute for a robust euro area firewall. We have told our international partners that we have no intention to seek additional resources for the IMF," the U.S. Treasury said in a statement.
Unfazed by the difficult question of where to source its target funds, Ms Lagarde said that IMF is more focused on preparing in the event of a crunch likely occurring soon.
"The biggest challenge is to respond to the crisis in an adequate manner and many executive directors stressed the necessity and urgency of collective efforts to contain the debt crisis in the euro area and protect economies around the world," Ms told Bloomberg.
Analysts believe that along with IMF's plan of luring more contributions from developing nations, the Washington-based lender may be compelled to accept adjustments that allow new major contributors to exercise more influence in the institution.
One point of contention is the determination of IMF's leadership, which countries like Australia, China and Mexico feel should be opened up to candidates outside of Europe, where traditionally the IMF chief is selected from.