Turning the Light Inward

The IMF's newly set up Independent Evaluation Office has recently released its first report. The report analyses the causes of prolonged use of IMF resources by borrowing countries, with case studies of Pakistan, Philippines and Senegal. This report, to be followed by one on fiscal adjustment in Fund programmes and another on capital account crises in Korea, Indonesia and Brazil, signals that the IMF is serious about turning the light inward to confront its mistakes and shortcomings and draw relevant lessons for its future work. Discussion of the core analysis of the report bearing on the Fund's policies in programme design and implementation in general and in respect of prolonged users of the Fund's resources in particular.