General Information

International Financial Institutions are an umbrella term for Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), such as the World Bank Group and regional development banks as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While the basic concept of the IMF is to monitor the global financial system and provide short-term crisis aid, development banks provide long-term capital to their member countries.

International Financial Institutions are an umbrella term for Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), such as the World Bank Group and regional development banks as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While the basic concept of the IMF is to monitor the global financial system and provide short-term crisis aid, development banks provide long-term capital to their member countries.

Ideally, the financing is complementary to the capital market in areas where the latter cannot provide sufficient funds. Development banks contribute to the provision of regional and global public goods. They play an important role in the international debate on development as knowledge providers and promoters of knowledge (knowledge institutions). Furthermore, various specialized funds provide additional capital for development financing. They are mostly geared towards specific topics and problem areas.

Moreover, institutions such as the World Bank Group or the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, through the projects they support, offer significant opportunities for the Austrian business community. This way, via internationally successful Austrian companies, Austrian know-how is being transferred in developing and transition countries. The principle of exchange and mutual benefit is thus successfully implemented in the international financial institutions.