Country profile: Uzbekistan
Key facts, figures and dates

Angola: China's African foothold
China is preparing to invest heavily in Angola to secure its energy supplies, but what will this mean for the poorest Angolans?

Hopes growing for Japan's economy
Japan emerges from its economic lull despite political uncertainty ahead of next month's elections, say three separate reports.

Protests at IMF Argentina talks
Protesters clash with police as International Monetary Fund chief Rodrigo Rato visits Buenos Aires to meet Argentine leaders.

Argentina seeks better debt deal
International investors meet in Buenos Aires to fight for a an agreement on Argentina's debt-restructuring process.

Iraqis pleased with aid pledges
Iraqi delegates at the Madrid conference welcome the $13bn pledged, but it falls short of the sum needed to rebuild the country.

Iraq elections 'in 2004'
The US administrator of Iraq says elections could be held there within a year, as attacks continue on American troops.

IMF backtracks on state bankruptcy plans
The International Monetary Fund suffers a major setback for its efforts to create a new system for resolving countries' debt crises.

Iraq aid 'must not be diverted'
The World Bank warns that any funds to help Iraq must be added to existing resources used to help poor countries.

IMF faces wartime challenge
The IMF faces a challenging world economy with little prospect of international cooperation as it meets during the Iraq war.

Argentina wins breathing space
Argentina avoids a damaging default by meeting a $1bn debt payment to the IMF, and agrees temporary new loan terms.

Israel passes controversial budget
The 2003 budget, seen as a vital test of political unity and crucial to maintain investor confidence, is finally passed by parliament.

IMF tackles private sector
The fragile state of the world's economy and alleviating poverty dominated the discussions but officials say action is needed.

Analysis: IMF's 'state bankruptcy' plan
The IMF's second-in-command is working on a proposal to allow crisis-hit nations to clear debts in an orderly way, reports the BBC's Andrew Walker.

Finance chiefs called to action
Lenders and donors meeting in Washington stress the need to move quickly, if global poverty and economic crisis are to be tackled.

Sri Lanka looks to foreign investors
Sri Lanka is looking to tap international investors for funds to invest in the country's dilapidated economy.

Police chief resigns in Buenos Aires
Top police officers step down as the Argentine president accuses the police of murdering two people during a demonstration.

Argentines rally over protesters' deaths
Thousands of Argentines take to the streets of Buenos Aires after two unemployed protesters are shot dead by police.

Bank of England warns of risks
The British economy is not immune to fall-out from US corporate scandals and falling stock markets, the Bank says.

Uruguay floats the peso
Cash-strapped Uruguay allows the peso to float freely in an effort to make its exports more competitive.