World economy chiefs mull fiscal stimulus to revive global growth

Finance ministers and central bankers from around the globe gave momentum to the idea of fiscal stimulus as the way to revive a sagging world economy. But there was little agreement on how to do so.

A synchronized slowdown across almost 90 per cent of the world economy dominated talks at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank’s annual meetings in Washington -- where officials and investors gathered the past week. Intensifying downside risks like trade conflicts were also a major topic of discussion.

The warnings were loud and clear. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, senior minister in Singapore’s government, warned of “profound uncertainty” and