OREANDA-NEWS. The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the sixth review of Burundi’s economic performance under the program supported by an Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. The Board’s decision enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 5 million (about US\$6.9 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 30 million (about US\$41.6 million).

In completing the sixth review, the Board also approved the authorities’ request for an extension of the current ECF arrangement to end March 2016 and an augmentation of access by SDR 10 million (about US\$13.9 million or 13 percent of quota). The additional financing and time will help strengthen the management of public finances and consolidate the country’s economic reform program.

Burundi’s three-year ECF arrangement in the amount equivalent to SDR 30 million (about US\$41.6 million) was approved by the Executive Board on January 27, 2012.

At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa, Acting Chair and Deputy Managing Director, issued the following statement:

“Progress under the ECF-supported program has been broadly satisfactory. Economic growth is estimated to have picked up slightly in 2014, while inflation declined markedly, aided by falling international fuel prices and prudent monetary policy. The near-term economic outlook remains challenging, and prudent policies will continue to be needed in the face of uncertainties in the external environment, and in the run-up to the 2015 national elections.

“The 2015 budget provides an adequate basis for fiscal policy in the current election year, and should be implemented with vigilance. Revenue slippages that emerged in early 2014 were addressed through corrective revenue measures, and are expected to have a lasting, positive impact on revenue performance. Strengthening tax administration and improving the coordination between tax policy design and its implementation will be critical to increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio on a sustainable basis.

“Public financial management should be strengthened, to enhance efficiency and mitigate fiscal risks. Efforts are needed to improve cash management by the Treasury and strengthen expenditure controls, while safeguarding pro-poor spending.

“Achieving debt sustainability will help anchor fiscal policy in the medium term. Burundi continues to be at a high risk of debt distress, and it will be important that any future borrowing be done on a concessional basis. Passage of the law on public debt, which would provide a legal framework for debt management, would be important. In this regard, better domestic debt management, notably by aligning the issuance of government securities with government’s financing needs, will help prevent recourse to central bank financing and the buildup of arrears.

“Underlying inflation has declined significantly in recent months and low international food and fuel prices will help keep inflation at bay. Nevertheless, it will be important for monetary policy to continue to focus on supporting a low-inflation environment. Financial stability should be strengthened through enhanced banking surveillance, and current plans to establish a credit bureau and a collateral registry.

“A strengthened pace of structural reforms is key to boosting Burundi’s external competitiveness, mobilize private sector investment, and lift Burundi’s growth potential. Efforts should focus on raising agricultural productivity; alleviating energy and other infrastructure bottlenecks; expanding credit access; and deepening regional integration.”