The basic purpose of the International Monetary Fund can be summarized in three aspects: first, to fulfill its management function by formulating and implementing the code of conduct in international financial and monetary affairs; The second is to provide short-term credit to member countries, adjust the imbalance of international payments and maintain exchange rate stability; The third is to provide a forum for member countries to consult and cooperate on monetary and financial issues.

There are three kinds of business activities of the IMF: one is exchange rate supervision and policy coordination, and the IMF's policy coordination function is usually realized through the following channels: (1) special consultation, and (2) the IMF's board of directors (that is, the annual meeting). The second is to create reserve assets. At the annual meeting of 1969, the IMF board formally decided to create SDR to supplement the shortage of international reserves, and began to allocate it in 1970. The third is the loan business.