This roundtable explored the economic situation in low income countries (LICs) and the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Low income countries are continuing their remarkably strong growth performance in the period since the onset of the global financial crisis. Despite this resilient performance, many LICs remain vulnerable to shocks and spillovers coming from advanced and emerging markets.

The IMF will need to be ready to provide policy and financial support to LICs for some time to come. Building on new analysis of the impact of Fund-supported programmes, IMF staff will outline the actions recently taken to strengthen IMF financing for LICs over the longer term, refine the design of lending facilities, and outline new thinking on how to balance pressing investment needs with sustainable levels of debt.