Mozambique: Talks with the IMF postponed at government’s request, due to pandemic – Selassie

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Mozambique: Talks with the IMF postponed at government’s request, due to pandemic – Selassie

5:51 CAT | 04 Mar 2021

File photo: Lusa

The director of the Africa department of the International Monetary Fund, Abebe Aemro Selassie, has told Lusa that discussions on a financial assistance programme for Mozambique have been postponed at the request of the government, due to the effects of the pandemic.

“The authorities of Mozambique asked for a programme and I said in October that we would start discussions soon,” Selassie said when asked by Lusa about the delay in discussing a financial aid programme for the country, which it has for some months said is needed.

According to the IMF official, “the time for these discussions was delayed, mainly due to the government’s request, not because of lack of interest, but because of the difficulty in doing the necessary work on a programme during this pandemic context.

“Normally we travel and discuss [and] meet, and that facilitates the intense dialogue that is required, which in virtual missions is very difficult,” he explained, adding that “on our part we remain ready to support the government as soon as they feel they are ready.”

Selassie’s comments were made on Tuesday, the day before financial news agency Bloomberg reported that Mozambique’s government would begin technical discussions on Monday, 15 March, in order to conclude by 26 March the outlines of an Extended Fund programme.

The mission, Bloomberg reported, citing Mozambique’s Ministry of Finance, would assess fiscal and macroeconomic indicators, including the fiscal framework between 2022 and 2024, in addition to seeking more information on ongoing economic reforms.

Source: Lusa