NO.021

TREASURER TO ATTEND THE IMF AND WORLD BANK SPRING MEETINGS

IN WASHINGTON

The Treasurer will attend the Spring Meetings of the Board of Governors of

the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, and associated meetings

that will be held in Washington DC from 23 April to 25 April 2004.

These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss the outlook, risks and policy

responses to the global economy. Discussion will also focus on the IMF’s

progress to develop measures for preventing and resolving financial crises and

combating the financing of terrorism. The meetings will provide an opportunity

for members to consider how low income countries can best achieve their development

objectives and to increase their voice and participation within the IMF and

World Bank.Consideration will be given to the most effective means for industrialised

countries to assist developing countries achieve their goals.

Korea is set to represent the constituency at the IMF in 2005 and 2006 and

will also take over the constituency chair at the World Bank in late 2005 from

New Zealand. Australia will resume the governorship of the constituency at the

IMF in late 2006 and at the World Bank in mid 2007.

The Treasurer will also undertake a series of bilateral meetings with senior

government officials and financial and business leaders while he is in Washington

and later in New York on 26 April 2004.

CANBERRA

19 April 2004

Contact: Amanda Kennedy

02 6277 7340