Washington, United States - October 22, 2024

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday maintained its global growth forecast in 2024 at 3.2 percent, consistent with its projection in July, according to its newly released World Economic Outlook (WEO).

The level of uncertainty surrounding the global economic outlook is high, the report noted.

The report also pointed out that a further intensification of geopolitical rifts could weigh on trade, investment and the free flow of ideas. "This could affect long-term growth, threaten the resilience of supply chains, and create difficult trade-offs for central banks," the report said.

In an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV), IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said rising geopolitical tensions are something that they are very concerned about.

In addition, the IMF predicted that worldwide inflation will cool to 5.8 percent this year and to 4.3 percent in 2025 due to tight monetary policies implemented in multiple economies.

Shotlist:
Washington D.C., USA - Oct 22, 2024:
1. Various of venue for 2024 Annual Meetings of International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group (WBG); pedestrians;
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, chief economist, International Monetary Fund (IMF) (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"We can mention geopolitical uncertainties. There are multiple dimensions to that. One could be shifting about conflict in the Middle East, how that could translate in an escalation in commodity prices, oil prices or shipping costs, that would weigh down on trade and activity. We can think about also financial conditions. Financial conditions could become much tighter.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
3. Various of interview in progress;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: USA - Date Unknown
4. Various of facilities, ships, containers at port;
FILE: Los Angeles, USA - 2020
5. Various of people in supermarket;
San Francisco, California, USA - Recent
6. Customers in coffee shop;
FILE: New York City, USA - Nov 2022
7. Various of customers dining, chatting, ordering in restaurant;
8. Customers paying bill;
9. Cashier counting money;
FILE: Washington D.C., USA - June 2022
10. Various of residents refueling cars at gas station; screen showing gas prices.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]