BY THOMAS DIXON BOCKARIE ALLIEU (232news.com)
A press release from the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Bank of Sierra Leone and the National Revenue Authority (NRA) informed Sierra Leoneans that the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday 5th June approved the Economic Performance Programme of the Government of Sierra Leone, which will trigger immediate disbursement of about US$20.8 million.
The release revealed that worth noting that the global economy is currently facing challenges occasioned by unprecedented overlapping multiple crises severely impacting all countries’ economic fabric.
That these crises have manifested into high inflation, depreciation of currencies, deteriorating external accounts, high-interest rates and rising debt levels and vulnerabilities.
“The crisis has also worsened food and energy insecurity. Therefore, the approval of Sierra Leone’s economic programme by the International Monetary Fund amidst the overlapping multiple crises is a strong recognition and vote of confidence in the Government’s commitment to restoring macroeconomic stability, long-term debt sustainability, and enhancing transparency and accountability in public funds,” the release noted.
The release revealed that during the Executive Board meeting, and in view of the global multiple crises, the government is pleased by the statement of Mr Bo Li, Deputy, Managing Director and Acting Chair.
“Sierra Leone continues to face significant economic challenges, amplified by multiple shocks, including Russia’s war in Ukraine. However, the Government commitment to bolster tax revenues represents important steps towards tightening the fiscal stance while creating space for priority social spending,” the IMF President pointed out.
The release continued that the IMF’s approval of the economic programme will pave the way for other international financial institutions to scale up their support towards financing the Government’s priority programmes, including Human Capital Development.
The release also informed the public that the government is at an advanced stage in negotiating with the World Bank to disburse 65 million United States dollars in budget support in 2023.
“Similarly, the approval will lay the basis for the ongoing negotiations with the European Union for the restoration of budget support of about 100 million Euros for a period of four years, effective 2023,” the release revealed.
That it is also important to note that a sound economic programme with the IMF, among others, will provide comfort for the negotiation of the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact and signature by the end of 2023.
That Government reiterates its commitment to implementing agreed reforms with Development Partners, including but not limited to prudent fiscal consolidation, exchange rate and monetary policy management that will lower inflation and stabilize the exchange rate and boost international reserves aimed at promoting macroeconomic and financial stability thereby laying the foundation for inclusive green and sustainable growth.
