Weekend Economists Go Eat Worms March 27-29, 2015

[MattSh]

31. No, Greece isn’t the most unhelpful country ever, IMF says - MarketWatch

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — The International Monetary Fund on Thursday denied a report that officials view Greece as the most unhelpful country the organization had ever dealt with in its 70-year history.

“There is no basis in fact for that contention. No such remark was made,” said IMF spokesman William Murray at a news conference.

Bloomberg had reported on March 18 that IMF officials had told their euro-area colleagues that Greece stands out as its worst client ever.

“I wish they had checked with us before that story was published,” Murray said. (What, and ruin a perfectly good story)?

IMF managing director Christine Lagarde had a “constructive” conversation Wednesday with Greece’s prime minister Alexis Tsipras, Murray said.

“They had a constructive conversation that focused on next steps in taking forward the policy discussions related to the IMF’s continued support of Greece’s reform program,” Murray said.

Greece is locked in talks with the IMF and European creditors on a deal on economic reforms that would unlock 7.2 billion euros in aid. Greece needs the funding as it faces several major debt repayments in early April.

Complete story at - http://www.marketwatch.com/story/no-greece-isnt-the-most-unhelpful-country-ever-imf-says-2015-03-26