By: Staff Writer Colombo (LNW): The 2023 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, from October 9-15, 2023. The theme for this year’s meetings is “Global Action, Global Impact.” The Annual Meetings are the largest gathering of global policymakers, business leaders, and civil society representatives, providing a forum to discuss and address the world’s most pressing economic and development challenges. The meetings also provide an opportunity for member countries to engage with the IMF and World Bank on their specific needs and priorities. For Sri Lanka, the 2023 Annual Meetings are particularly important. The country is currently facing a severe economic crisis, with high inflation, low foreign reserves, and a large debt burden. The government is in the process of negotiating a bailout package with the IMF, and the Annual Meetings will provide an opportunity for Sri Lankan officials to discuss their progress and seek support from other member countries. In addition to the official meetings, the Annual Meetings also feature a variety of side events and seminars on a wide range of development topics. These events provide an opportunity for Sri Lankan policymakers and other stakeholders to learn about best practices and network with experts from around the world. The Annual Meetings provide an opportunity for Sri Lanka to secure financial assistance from the IMF and other member countries. The government can use this assistance to help stabilize its economy and finance its development programs. It also provide an opportunity for Sri Lanka to attract foreign investment. The country can use the meetings to showcase its investment potential and to meet with potential investors. The Annual Meetings feature a variety of side events and seminars on a wide range of development topics. Sri Lankan policymakers and other stakeholders can learn from the experiences of other countries and share their own best practices. Overall, the 2023 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings are an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to advance its economic and development goals. Experts opine that the government should make the most of this opportunity to secure financial assistance, attract foreign investment, share best practices, and build relationships with other countries and international organizations. One of the key events at this year’s annual meetings is the release the World Economic Outlook’s October 2023. The World Economic Outlook (WEO) which provides a comprehensive analysis of the global economic situation, including economic growth, inflation, and other key macroeconomic indicators. The WEO serves as documentation for meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) and forms the main instruments of the IMF’s global surveillance activities.