UPDATE 1-IMF chief says global inflation to fall, trade integration is needed

Global inflation is ‌expected to fall to 3.8% this year and to 3.4% ⁠in 2027, helped by softer demand and lower energy prices, the IMF chief said on Monday.

Managing ​Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a ‍speech in the Annual Arab Fiscal Forum in Dubai that global growth has held up 'remarkably well' amid profound ⁠shifts ‌in geopolitics, trade ⁠policy, technology, and demographics. Georgieva also called for more ‍trade integration as unilateral trade agreements are seen ​on the increase.

"In the world of trade ⁠fragmentation, more trade integration is absolutely paramount." "What we have ⁠seen this year is that trade did not go down the way we feared ⁠it would. In fact trade is growing slightly slower ⁠than ‌global growth," she added.