国际货币基金组织理事长拉托（Rodrigo Rato）表示，在过去的5年中，世界经济一直处于非常良好的发展状态。本周四，国际货币基金组织将公布其对2004年下半年世界经济发展前景的展望报告。

The world economy is in its best shape for five years, International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Rodrigo Rato has said.

However the US budget deficit and sluggish European growth pose problems, he said.

Mr Rato is Spain's former finance minister and became new managing director of the IMF in May.

He called on the European Union, US, and Japan to widen access to their markets and increase the money they put aside to fund development.

On Thursday the IMF releases its half-yearly World Economic Outlook. And on Saturday its two-day official meeting is scheduled to start in Washington.

"The world economy is in its best moment of the last five years, but the US budget and trade deficit and low European growth are problems, and variations in energy prices are a risk," he said.

Funded by 184 member countries, the IMF gives advice and lends money to bring about economic reform.

Mr Rato also indicated that the IMF, known for trying to keep developing economies in line, would in future speak out about policies in the world's richest nations if they posed global economic risks.

"The United States, the European Union and Japan have the great responsibility of putting their own house in order, widening access to their markets and increasing their aid to development," he said in the interview.

Poorer nations have claimed that when they try to export their goods to the West, they are vying against subsidised agro-businesses and protectionist measures.

Mr Rato, who is widely credited with turning around Spain's economy, joined the IMF after Spain's conservative government lost the general election in the spring.