IMF approves US167.2 million for Sri Lanka

By APD Writer Jamila Husain

COLOMBO, July 18 (APD) - The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Tuesday, completed its second review of Sri Lankas Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, which enables the disbursement of about US167.2 million dollars to the island country, a statement released by IMF said here.

The second review of Sri Lankas economic performance was under a three-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement by the IMF.

Completion of the review enables the total disbursements under the arrangement to about US501.5 million dollars, the IMF said.

Sri Lankas three-year extended arrangement was approved on June 3, 2016 in the amount of an estimated US1.45 billion dollars or 185 percent of quota in the IMF at that time of approval of the arrangement.

The governments reform program, supported by the IMF, aims to reduce the fiscal deficit, rebuild foreign exchange reserves, and introduce a simpler, more equitable tax system to restore macroeconomic stability and promote inclusive growth.

Following the Executive Boards discussion of the review, Mitsuhiro Furusawa, Acting Chair and Deputy Managing Director, said Sri Lankas performance under the Fund-supported program has been broadly satisfactory.

"Macroeconomic and financial conditions have been stable, despite severe weather events and global market volatility. The authorities launched fundamental income tax reform, undertook meaningful corrective actions to achieve program targets on international reserves, and remain committed to the reform program," he said.

Going forward, the reform momentum should strengthen further with greater ownership, building on the progress made so far, the IMF said.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)