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IMF head calls for extra funding IMF head calls for extra funding
(about 2 hours later)
The head of the IMF has said it will need more funding if it is to respond to calls for it to play a bigger role in aiding a global economic recovery.The head of the IMF has said it will need more funding if it is to respond to calls for it to play a bigger role in aiding a global economic recovery.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn told the BBC that the IMF was likely to need at least $100bn (£68bn) of extra funding over the course of the next six months.Dominique Strauss-Kahn told the BBC that the IMF was likely to need at least $100bn (£68bn) of extra funding over the course of the next six months.
Mr Strauss-Kahn also called on states to continue cutting interest rates.Mr Strauss-Kahn also called on states to continue cutting interest rates.
His comments came as the Japanese economy officially entered a recession, shrinking 0.1% in the third quarter.His comments came as the Japanese economy officially entered a recession, shrinking 0.1% in the third quarter.
This follows a 0.9% contraction in the world's second-biggest economy in the previous quarter from April to June.This follows a 0.9% contraction in the world's second-biggest economy in the previous quarter from April to June.
The benchmark Nikkei index fell on opening after the news was released, but rebounded in morning trading and was 1.2% up by lunchtime.
On Saturday, G20 leaders agreed at a summit in Washington to co-operate closely to stimulate worldwide economic growth, with both developed and developing countries working to cut taxes and interest rates, and increase government spending.On Saturday, G20 leaders agreed at a summit in Washington to co-operate closely to stimulate worldwide economic growth, with both developed and developing countries working to cut taxes and interest rates, and increase government spending.
Finance ministers were also asked to discuss the longer-term reform of financial regulation, including executive pay and risky lending.Finance ministers were also asked to discuss the longer-term reform of financial regulation, including executive pay and risky lending.
Their proposals will be discussed at a follow-up summit in April.Their proposals will be discussed at a follow-up summit in April.
'Safety net''Safety net'
The weekend's G20 meeting brought together leading industrial powers, such as the US, Japan and Germany, and emerging market countries like China, India, Argentina, Brazil and others - representing 85% of the world's economy and two-thirds of its population.The weekend's G20 meeting brought together leading industrial powers, such as the US, Japan and Germany, and emerging market countries like China, India, Argentina, Brazil and others - representing 85% of the world's economy and two-thirds of its population.
The number of countries having problems at the same time has dramatically increased and they come to the IMF asking for support Dominique Strauss-KahnManaging Director, International Monetary Fund G20 summit: In quotesG20 declaration: Full textThe number of countries having problems at the same time has dramatically increased and they come to the IMF asking for support Dominique Strauss-KahnManaging Director, International Monetary Fund G20 summit: In quotesG20 declaration: Full text
The communique issued after the summit stressed the International Monetary Fund's "important role in crisis response", welcomed its new short-term liquidity facility, and urged the ongoing review of its instruments and facilities to ensure flexibility.The communique issued after the summit stressed the International Monetary Fund's "important role in crisis response", welcomed its new short-term liquidity facility, and urged the ongoing review of its instruments and facilities to ensure flexibility.
The BBC's Andrew Walker says the organisation does have substantial resources to lend to countries needing help to weather the economic storms.The BBC's Andrew Walker says the organisation does have substantial resources to lend to countries needing help to weather the economic storms.
Before the summit the figure was $250bn, and then Japan made a commitment to provide another $100bn, our correspondent says.Before the summit the figure was $250bn, and then Japan made a commitment to provide another $100bn, our correspondent says.
But in an interview with the BBC, the IMF's managing director said that although it did have money enough for the immediate future, it was likely to need more.But in an interview with the BBC, the IMF's managing director said that although it did have money enough for the immediate future, it was likely to need more.
"The number of countries having problems at the same time has dramatically increased and they come to the IMF asking for support," Mr Strauss-Kahn said. "So we need more resources.""The number of countries having problems at the same time has dramatically increased and they come to the IMF asking for support," Mr Strauss-Kahn said. "So we need more resources."
G20 leaders have pledged to work together to restore global growthG20 leaders have pledged to work together to restore global growth
He described the Japanese prime minister's offer on Friday as a "huge step forward", saying it meant the IMF now had "enough resources to address the problem we are facing today".He described the Japanese prime minister's offer on Friday as a "huge step forward", saying it meant the IMF now had "enough resources to address the problem we are facing today".
"The question is to be able to face the problem in six months from now, and I think all the heads of state and government are aware of the need for a strong IMF," he warned."The question is to be able to face the problem in six months from now, and I think all the heads of state and government are aware of the need for a strong IMF," he warned.
Mr Strauss-Kahn said the organisation would probably need around $100bn in additional funding in order to cope with increased demand.Mr Strauss-Kahn said the organisation would probably need around $100bn in additional funding in order to cope with increased demand.
The IMF, he added, would seek to provide "some sort of safety net to protect the most vulnerable part of the population from the consequences of the adjustment".The IMF, he added, would seek to provide "some sort of safety net to protect the most vulnerable part of the population from the consequences of the adjustment".
Rate cutsRate cuts
The former French finance minister also called on countries to tackle the economic crisis themselves by cutting interest rates and using government finances.The former French finance minister also called on countries to tackle the economic crisis themselves by cutting interest rates and using government finances.
I think now [the ECB has] room to decrease the interest rate, but nevertheless the stress has to be put on fiscal policy Dominique Strauss-KahnI think now [the ECB has] room to decrease the interest rate, but nevertheless the stress has to be put on fiscal policy Dominique Strauss-Kahn
He said the European Central Bank (ECB) had room for another rate cut.He said the European Central Bank (ECB) had room for another rate cut.
"In some parts of the world - Japan, the United States - interest rates have been cut very much, but it can be done more aggressively in other parts," he said."In some parts of the world - Japan, the United States - interest rates have been cut very much, but it can be done more aggressively in other parts," he said.
"I think now [the ECB has] room to decrease the interest rate, but nevertheless the stress has to be put on fiscal policy," he added."I think now [the ECB has] room to decrease the interest rate, but nevertheless the stress has to be put on fiscal policy," he added.
Our correspondent says Mr Strauss-Kahn's comments were not an explicit call for action, but they suggested at the very least that he would glad if the ECB cut rates again soon.Our correspondent says Mr Strauss-Kahn's comments were not an explicit call for action, but they suggested at the very least that he would glad if the ECB cut rates again soon.
Critics have said the bank has been too slow to reduce interest rates, in sharp contrast to, for example, the US Federal Reserve.Critics have said the bank has been too slow to reduce interest rates, in sharp contrast to, for example, the US Federal Reserve.