JANUARY 2003
Most Investment Banks at Some Stage of Reviewing Disclosure Policies

Most international financial institutions are engaged in reviewing their information disclosure policies, according to a freedominfo.org survey.

The banks' reform efforts are at various stages, and their plans continue to face criticism from nongovernmental institutions.

In surveying activity at various banks, freedominfo.org has learned that the Asian Development Bank, whose disclosure policy web page has had an "under construction" sign posted for more than a year, will be revealing a new policy this spring.

On Jan. 14, the Inter-American Development Bank posted a revision to its public information policy.

The International Monetary Fund staff has prepared a series of reports on its evolving disclosure policies. In June, the IMF plans to reconsider a step it has resisted for years--making public virtually all of the important Article IV reports, that until 1999 were all kept secret.

The World Bank, having conducted a major review in 2001, has no announced policy review under way, but is preparing a major staff study of its disclosure policies.

In Europe, the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg, after a gestation period of about 18 months, brought forth its new disclosure policy in November.

In a piecemeal approach, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London also is reviewing its disclosure policy. It is accepting public comments until the end of January on its policies concerning country strategies and translations.

Most international financial institutions are engaged in reviewing their information disclosure policies, according to a freedominfo.org survey.

The banks' reform efforts are at various stages, and their plans continue to face criticism from nongovernmental institutions.

In surveying activity at various banks, freedominfo.org has learned that the Asian Development Bank, whose disclosure policy web page has had an "under construction" sign posted for more than a year, will be revealing a new policy this spring.

On Jan. 14, the Inter-American Development Bank posted a revision to its public information policy.

The International Monetary Fund staff has prepared a series of reports on its evolving disclosure policies. In June, the IMF plans to reconsider a step it has resisted for years--making public virtually all of the important Article IV reports, that until 1999 were all kept secret.

The World Bank, having conducted a major review in 2001, has no announced policy review under way, but is preparing a major staff study of its disclosure policies.

In Europe, the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg, after a gestation period of about 18 months, brought forth its new disclosure policy in November.

In a piecemeal approach, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London also is reviewing its disclosure policy. It is accepting public comments until the end of January on its policies concerning country strategies and translations.

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