IMF inches toward openness, but challenges remain

Reuters (23/7) - The International Monetary Fund tiptoed toward greater openness on Monday, pledging to publish more reports on its lending to governments and to release details of internal discussions more quickly. To publish or not to publish has long been a burning debate within the Washington-based multilateral lender. The conflict reflects the IMF's dual functions: to advise each of its 188 member countries on their economies, and to act as a global economic watchdog. In its discussions with each government, the IMF must balance transparency and confidentiality, as it seeks to give insight into a country's economy without jeopardizing privileged information that can sometimes be politically damaging. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/22/us-imf-transparency-idUSBRE96L0TQ20130722