Nguyen Kha Manh (3rd-year student) and Le Mai Thanh (4th-year student) of the Discovery Program for Global Learners (GDP) at Okayama University were selected to participate in the 23rd Macroeconomist Training Program hosted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The three-day program was held in Tokyo from March 26-28, 2025.

The workshop was structured to simulate real-world IMF country monitoring practices, where about 20 participants were able to deepen their understanding of macroeconomic analysis by applying the IMF-supported adjustment program framework to assess countries’ economic stability, future baseline scenarios, potential vulnerabilities, and possible structural policy reforms.

By breaking down a country's economy into four core sectors—real, external, fiscal, and financial—the participants explored the overall health of an economy, the interlinkages among these sectors, and how policy decisions in one sector can significantly influence outcomes in another through case studies of Laos and Malaysia. The insightful discussion covering a range of policy issues, including the complex trade-offs faced in the IMF-supported programs in Sri Lanka, followed. On the final day, each group of participants analyzed Thailand’s or Vietnam’s economic conditions, prospects, and risks and made policy recommendations.

Nguyen Kha and Le Mai, both from Vietnam, gained valuable insights into how macroeconomic surveillance and policy formation are conducted at an institutional level. At first, they were a bit nervous as the workshop was conducted in Japanese, but gradually, they became more excited about the learning experience with a glimpse into the world of international financial institutions and the people behind the IMF. They are very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to applying what they have learned to their future studies.