Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance published an account of Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti’s participation in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington from 15 to 17 April, including G7 and G20 engagements focused on the global outlook, growth prospects and shared macroeconomic challenges. The update highlighted the award of the IMF’s Southeast Europe Technical Assistance Center, known as SEETAC, to Rome and the signing of a EUR 140 million bilateral co-financing agreement with the African Development Bank. SEETAC is described as the first and only IMF technical assistance centre in Europe and will support seven European Union candidate countries, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, in delivering the fiscal reforms required. The Rome office will be housed in the Bank of Italy building on Via degli Abruzzi and is expected to host 21 international experts and an IMF director. The Ministry also reported bilateral meetings with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and finance ministers from Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, with the US discussion highlighting shared interest in greater economic autonomy in critical raw materials; Giorgetti also cautioned against overreacting to short-term market volatility and addressed IMF criticism of fuel excise duty cuts, while noting continued dialogue with rating agencies. The Ministry stated that SEETAC will become operational on 1 January 2027. The EUR 140 million co-financing resources are intended to support priority projects in Africa across energy, agriculture, water, infrastructure and human capital development, aligned with the Mattei Plan.
Ministry of Finance (Italy) 2026-04-21
Italy's Ministry of Economy and Finance announces Rome will host the IMF Southeast Europe Technical Assistance Center from 2027
Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance reported on Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti’s participation in the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, including G7 and G20 discussions on the global outlook and shared macroeconomic challenges. The IMF’s Southeast Europe Technical Assistance Center was awarded to Rome, with operations to begin on 1 January 2027 to support fiscal reforms in seven EU candidate countries, and Italy signed a EUR 140 million co-financing agreement with the African Development Bank for priority projects in Africa aligned with the Mattei Plan.