IMF board says Greece needs further debt relief

Published Tue, Feb 7, 2017 · 02:33 AM

[WASHINGTON] The International Monetary Fund's board agreed late on Monday that Greece likely will need further debt relief, but there remains a split over the appropriate goal for the country's finances.

The board met to discuss the long-overdue review of the Greek economy, as well as a report that describes the country's debt as becoming "explosive" in the long run.

The IMF said most of its board members agreed that "despite Greece's enormous sacrifices and European partners' generous support, further relief may well be required to restore debt sustainability." That debt relief must be accompanied, however, by "strong policy implementation to restore growth and sustainability," it said.

There has long been a split between the IMF and Europe due to the demand by the eurozone that Greece deliver a primary balance, or budget surplus before debt repayments, of 3.5 per cent of GDP, far in excess of the 1.5 per cent the IMF says is feasible.

This dispute - which is holding up further IMF financing - was evident in the board discussion on Monday.

"Most Directors agreed that Greece does not require further fiscal consolidation at this time," since the country already is expected to hit the 1.5 per cent target. However, "some Directors favoured a surplus of 3-1/2 per cent of GDP by 2018," the statement said.

The IMF does not identify the board members in its statement, but also noted that the directors "stressed the need" to have "realistic assumptions about Greece's ability to generate sustained surpluses and long term growth," an issue at the heart of the fund's dispute with the eurozone.

Months of bickering have delayed progress on Greece's 86-billion-euro (S$130.3 billion) bailout programme agreed in 2015.

While the IMF board did not discuss the loan programme, the board members representing the 189 IMF member countries agreed in urging Greece to speed up implementation of reforms - especially improving tax collection - to get the economy back on sound footing.

The IMF board also reviewed the Debt Sustainability Analysis - which was not released publicly but was obtained by AFP - and warns that "Greece's debt is highly unsustainable" and "will become explosive in the long run," as the government will have to replace highly subsidized official financing with market financing at much higher rates.

In that report the fund called on Europe to provide a credible debt relief programme for Greece.

AFP

BT is now on Telegram!

For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to  t.me/BizTimes

International

SUPPORT SOUTH-EAST ASIA'S LEADING FINANCIAL DAILY

Get the latest coverage and full access to all BT premium content.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Browse corporate subscription here