The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), yesterday, approved the disbursement of SDR 5 million (about $6.66 million) to The Gambia.
The Fund said this is to help meet the country’s balance-of-payments and fiscal financing needs amid challenges, related primarily to the war in Ukraine and the lingering impacts of the pandemic.
A statement from the Washington D.C.-based institution said the approval followed the completion of the sixth and final review under The Gambia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.
This disbursement brings the total disbursements under the ECF arrangement to SDR 70.55 million (about $94 million).
The outcomes of the review made the Board conclude that the exogenous shocks continue to weigh on the country’s socio-economic environment, impeding vigorous economic activity, while inflation pressures persist.
This is even as The Gambian authorities are taking measures to address these shocks and remain committed to strong policies and reforms.
The statement reads further: “In completing the sixth review, the Executive Board also approved the authorities’ request for a waiver for non-observance of the continuous performance criterion on the accumulation of new external payment arrears by the central government, based on corrective actions taken by the authorities.
“The ECF arrangement for the Gambia was approved by the IMF’s Executive Board on March 23, 2020, with an initial total access of SDR 35 million (or 56.3 percent of quota). Access under the ECF arrangement was augmented twice, at the completion of the first ECF review in January 2021 and at the completion of the fifth ECF review in December 2022.
“The Gambia has also benefited from an IMF Rapid Credit Facility of SDR 15.55 million and received debt service relief from the IMF under the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust, totalling SDR 7.9 million.”
Meanwhile, the Board believes “The severe foreign exchange shortages that the country experienced in late 2022 have somewhat eased.”
In anticipation of the expiration of the debt rescheduling period and to keep public debt on a downward path, it will be paramount to strengthen fiscal and external buffers by containing domestic borrowing, focusing on grants and highly concessional loans, and implementing a strong medium-term fiscal framework.
Economic performance
Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, Bo Li, described the Gambia’s economic performance as satisfactory, despite challenges related to the war in Ukraine, the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a major flooding, and trade disruptions.
He was quoted as saying that: “Despite pressures, fiscal policy remains appropriately anchored on the approved 2023 budget. Given high debt vulnerabilities, efforts should continue to bolster domestic revenue mobilization and prioritize investment projects.
“In anticipation of the expiration of the debt rescheduling period and to keep public debt on a downward path, it will be paramount to strengthen fiscal and external buffers by containing domestic borrowing, focusing on grants and highly concessional loans, and implementing a strong medium-term fiscal framework.
Strengthening social safety nets remains important.
“The Central Bank has appropriately tightened its monetary policy stance to help tame inflationary pressures. The foreign exchange pressures have eased following the high tourism season and the exchange rate movements.
“Going forward, the central bank is encouraged to make full use of its policy toolkit to fight inflation and to continue to ensure that the exchange rate reflects market forces. Deepening and strengthening the financial sector would also be important.
“The authorities made significant progress in their structural reform agenda, including in the areas of procurement and SOE institutional framework.
“They are encouraged to maintain this renewed reform momentum, including by preparing and enforcing the regulations of the newly approved laws, adopting the anti-corruption bill, implementing the recommendations from the recent IMF governance diagnostic mission, and improving financial inclusion and the business environment to support private sector-led growth and poverty reduction.
“The authorities’ commitment to meet zero emission targets by 2050 is commendable.
