Top IMF officials says bolder actions needed to boost weak global recovery and aid unemployed

WASHINGTON – The head of the International Monetary Fund says the global economy is finally turning the corner after a deep recession but the recovery remains too weak.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde says governments need to pursue bolder programs to spur economic growth to help the millions of people who remain unemployed.

Lagarde’s comments to reporters came as finance officials began three days of talks in Washington at the spring meetings of the 188-nation IMF and its sister-lending agency, the World Bank.

The discussions on how to boost growth and fight poverty were likely to be overshadowed by rising tensions over Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Finance officials from the world’s seven major economies were to meet Thursday to discuss whether to increase sanctions against Russia.