Sudan:Staff-Monitored Program-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Sudan

Staff-Monitored Program-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Sudan
READ MORE...
Volume/Issue: Volume 2020 Issue 289
Publication date: October 2020
ISBN: 9781513559803
$18.00
Add to Cart by clicking price of the language and format you'd like to purchase
Available Languages and Formats
English
Prices in red indicate formats that are not yet available but are forthcoming.
Topics covered in this book

This title contains information about the following subjects. Click on a subject if you would like to see other titles with the same subjects.

Banks and Banking , Exports and Imports , Money and Monetary Policy , Public Finance , ISCR , CR , government , government securities market , Sudan's Staff-Monitored Program , development partner , IMF Board , Sudanese authorities , transitional government , Exchange rates , Commercial banks , Currencies , Debt relief

Summary

The transitional government has requested a Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) to help address major macro imbalances, lay the groundwork for inclusive growth, and establish a track record of sound policies that is a requirement for eventual HIPC debt relief. Major challenges lie ahead. Economic contraction since 2018 is set to intensify sharply in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fiscal and external imbalances are large, inflation is high and rising, the currency is overvalued, and competitiveness is weak. The humanitarian situation is dire with large numbers of internally displaced people and refugees. Despite the desperate situation, Sudan cannot access Fund financial assistance on account of (i) arrears to the Fund, (ii) arrears to other IFIs and other creditors, and (iii) unsustainably large external debt. Sudan remains on the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list (SSTL), which effectively hinders progress toward HIPC debt relief. While there is broad agreement between the authorities and staff about the key reform priorities, public tolerance for painful reforms is fragile given prolonged economic hardship. Notably, donor financial assistance has been well short of the amounts needed to facilitate gradual orderly adjustment. Hence, risks to the SMP are high.