The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced Friday that it has received a request from Portugal and is poised to help the nation meet the economic challenges it is facing.
"The IMF has received a request for financial assistance from the Portuguese authorities and we stand ready to join the effort, together with our European partners, to help restore growth and
financial stability in Portugal," Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the Washington-based IMF,said in a statement.
"We are prepared to move expeditiously on this request and hold swift discussions with the Portuguese government, together with the European Commission and the European Central Bank, on an
economic program, supported by the main political parties, that could provide the basis for Fund financial assistance," he added.