China to loan regional group including Russia, Central Asia $10 billion to help economies

September 2nd, 2009 China to buy $50 billion of first IMF bondsBEIJING — China has agreed to buy $50 billion of the International Monetary Fund's first bond issue in a move that will help to strengthen the body's lending ability and diversify Beijing's foreign holdings. The agreement announced Wednesday by the Washington-based IMF comes as the body tries to raise money to finance lending, especially to developing countries, to help economies weather the global downturn.

July 8th, 2009 IMF raises Asia 2009 growth forecastBEIJING — The International Monetary Fund has raised its 2009 growth forecast for Asia's developing economies from 4.8 percent to 5.5 percent but cautioned that a sustained rebound will depend on recovery in developed economies. The Washington-based cited improved prospects for regional giants China and India.

June 29th, 2009 China's Hu to attend G8 meeting in ItalyBEIJING — Chinese President Hu Jintao will attend next month's meeting in Italy between leaders of the Group of Eight nations and those of emerging economies, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. Hu will attend the July 8-10 meeting in Trieste, Italy, at the invitation of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, it said in a statement.

June 17th, 2009 China's Hu meets with top Russian leadersNOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia — Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Russia's two top leaders Wednesday following international summits that underscored both the common goals and the differing interests of the giant neighbors. Eager to counter the influence of the West, especially the United States, China and Russia have forged a strategic partnership after decades of tension during Soviet era.

June 16th, 2009 Russia challenges dollar, China offers loansYEKATERINBURG, Russia — China and Russia sought greater international clout at a summit Tuesday, with China promising a $10 billion loan to Central Asian countries, while Russia challenged the dominance of the U.S. dollar as a global reserve currency.

June 16th, 2009 Medvedev calls for new reserve currenciesYEKATERINBURG, Russia — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says the world needs new reserve currencies. Medvedev told a regional summit Tuesday that the creation of new reserve currencies in addition to the dollar is needed to stabilize global finances.

June 16th, 2009 Russia may put some reserves in BRIC bondsYEKATERINBURG, Russia — The Kremlin's top economic adviser says Russia may put part of its currency reserves in bonds issued by Brazil, China and India. Arkady Dvorkovich says Russia could make the move if the other three nations reciprocate.

June 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Global economic recovery was closely linked to the success of the economies of the four BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday before leaving for the Russian city of Yekaterinburg to attend a summit of the grouping. Stressing that the four countries would play a crucial part in overcoming the ongoing economic slowdown, the prime minister said: The countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) together account for 40 percent of the world's population and 40 percent of global GDP.

June 15th, 2009 Iranian president to visit Russia TuesdayMOSCOW — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad postponed a planned Russia visit by one day but will make the trip Tuesday, the Iranian Embassy in Moscow said. Ahmadinejad had been expected to travel to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on Monday and meet with President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of a regional summit.

June 15th, 2009 Russia, China, Central Asian nations hold summitYEKATERINBURG, Russia — Russia played regional power broker Monday, hosting China and Central Asian nations for a summit that highlights the Kremlin's efforts to maintain clout in former Soviet territory and raise its profile in Afghanistan. Moscow is expected to use the meeting of leaders from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to try to cement the six-nation group as a counterbalance to the U.S.

June 7th, 2009 China, Turkmenistan seal $3 billion energy loanASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — China will lend energy-rich Turkmenistan $3 billion to develop its vast South Yolotan natural gas field, Turkmen state media reported Saturday. The loan marks a key step in Chinese efforts to secure long-term energy supplies from ex-Soviet Central Asia and will likely loosen Russia's grip over Turkmenistan's gas exports.

April 24th, 2009 US urges Central Asia to boost gas export routesASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — A recent crippling gas pipeline blast in Turkmenistan, which the government blamed on Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom, is proof that energy-rich Central Asian nations need to diversify their export routes, a senior U.S. diplomat said Friday.

April 22nd, 2009 IMF says Asia could see 'modest recovery' in 2010BEIJING — The International Monetary Fund says Asian economies could see a modest recovery next year, boosted by stronger export demand and stimulus spending. Trade-driven Asia has been hit harder than expected by the worst global downturn since the 1930s.

April 10th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said that India was yet to decide on joining a regional framework proposed by US President Barack Obama in its Afghanistan-Pakistan policy. 'The US is making efforts to involve more and more countries like China, Russia, Iran and India.

February 17th, 2009 MOSCOW - Russia and China signed a $25-billion energy deal in Beijing Tuesday under which Russia will pump oil to its energy-hungry neighbour for the next 20 years in return for loans, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said. Sechin, who overseas energy, secured the deal in a meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in the Chinese capital.