Transcript of Press Briefing at the Conclusion of the IMF Staff Visit to Sri Lanka
Transcript of Press Briefing at the Conclusion of the IMF Staff Visit to Sri Lanka
Transcript of Press Briefing at the Conclusion of the IMF Staff Visit to Sri Lanka
• The IMF Executive Board today completed the 2023 Article IV consultation and the first review of Ghana’s 36-month Extended Credit Facility arrangement. Approval of the first review enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 451.4 million (about US$600 million).
Nicaragua’s economy has remained resilient in the face of multiple shocks, supported by appropriate economic policies, substantial buffers, and multilateral support. After a very strong rebound in 2021, the economy grew at a steady pace since 2022 and is expected to grow by 4 percent in 2023. Inflation is declining, and the central government is maintaining a small surplus and healthy government deposits. Remittances are projected to reach about 28 percent of GDP at end-2023, double their end-2021 level, and supporting a turnaround in the current account balance to a surplus of about 4 percent of GDP in 2023. The foreign exchange inflows and prudent macroeconomic policies, contributed to a rapid accumulation of gross international reserves to US $5 billion by end-October (or about 6 months of imports, excluding maquila).
The economic reform program implemented by the Sri Lankan authorities is yielding the first signs of recovery with positive real GDP growth in the third quarter of 2023, low inflation, increased revenue collection, and a build-up of external reserves.
Country Report No. 2024/018
Working Paper No. 2024/013