Posted by Michel Lazare
In April 2009, the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) published the first issue of its e-newsletter. As explained in the presentation letter (full text below) of FAD's Director, Carlo Cottarelli (see picture above), the aim of FAD's e-newsletter is to "reach out to a broad and diverse group of people who may be interested in FAD's activities.
This first issue focuses on FAD's activities on key fiscal topics:
- Fiscal policy and the global financial crisis;
- Fiscal policy in low-income countries;
- Fiscal risks; and
- Fiscal structural reforms.
In addition, the e-newsletter includes links to three categories of publications on fiscal issues:
- IMF publications;
- IMF working papers; and
- External publications
And guess what? Surprise, surprise ! The e-newsletter includes a link to PFM blog!
The e-newletter is accessible on the www. imf.org website.
Long live the FAD's e-newsletter!
Here is the full text of the letter of:
Carlo Cottarelli, Director of the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, Introducing the FAD's E-newletter:
Dear Readers:
This is the first issue of an electronic newsletter that the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of the IMF is launching to reach out to a broad and diverse group of people that may be interested in our activities.
Over the past 45 years, when FAD was first established at the IMF, many interested people around the world—country authorities, academics, media representatives and the general public—have become aware of its products and services, either through direct interaction with FAD staff or through participation in seminars, conferences, and other activities with FAD representatives. More recently, Working Papers, many IMF Board papers, and a number of Reports on the Observance of the Code on Fiscal Transparency have become increasingly accessible through the IMF’s website.
Nevertheless, in a fast-changing world, where many issues become pressing for policymakers almost overnight, we felt that an e-newsletter dedicated to recent products, services, and activities of FAD would help readers around the world keep up with cutting-edge issues and policy recommendations. I hope this newsletter will become an easy source of information for fiscal developments among member countries and for the policy challenges that country authorities may face.
In addition to position notes, recent papers, and other activities highlighted in the e-newsletter, you will also find certain permanent links to other useful websites, including contacts in FAD for various aspects of our work.
The e-newsletter will be issued and distributed by e-mail three times a year.
Sincerely,
Carlo Cottarelli
Director
Fiscal Affairs Department
