September 17, 2026

IMF chief says global inflation to fall, trade integration is needed

She urges stronger trade integration to counter rising unilateral agreements

IMF chief says global inflation to fall, trade integration is needed
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine Jan 15, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

bdnews24.com

Reuters

Published : 02 Feb 2026, 07:05 PM

Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:06 PM

Global inflation is expected to fall to 3.8 percent this year and to 3.4 percent in 2027, helped by softer demand and lower energy prices, the IMF chief said on Monday.

Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a speech in the Annual Arab Fiscal Forum in Dubai that global growth has held up 'remarkably well' amid profound shifts in geopolitics, trade policy, technology, and demographics.

Georgieva also called for more trade integration as unilateral trade agreements are seen on the increase.

"In the world of trade fragmentation, more trade integration is absolutely paramount."

"What we have seen this year is that trade did not go down the way we feared it would. In fact trade is growing slightly slower than global growth," she added.

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