IMF chief pleased Sri Lanka reached staff-level deal for $2.9 billion
The HinduThe IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva on September 4 said she is pleased the Washington-based lender and the Sri Lankan government have reached a staff-level agreement to provide about $2.9 billion to help the bankrupt country, terming the deal as an “important step forward.” The International Monetary Fund on Thursday announced that it will provide Sri Lanka a loan of about $2.9 billion over a four-year period to help the island nation overcome the unprecedented economic turmoil. “Very pleased that IMF staff and Sri Lankan government officials have reached a staff-level agreement to support the country’s economic policies with a 48-month Extended Fund Facility of about USD 2.9 billion,” Ms. Georgieva said in a tweet. The new Extended Fund Facility arrangement will support Sri Lanka's programme to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, while safeguarding financial stability, reducing corruption vulnerabilities and unlocking the country's growth potential, the IMF has said. All Sri Lankan creditors, including China, have to agree to restructure their existing loans to the island nation before the IMF starts disbursing the $2.9 billion loan.