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By Matthew Russell Lee, CJR PFT NY Post

NEW YORK CITY, Dec 20 – When the International Monetary Fund held its biweekly embargoed media briefing on November 7, Inner City Press submitted questions including on Equatorial Guinea, see below.

On December 20, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met then this was issued on Ethiopia: "On December 20, 2019, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved three-year arrangements under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Ethiopia in an amount equivalent to SDR 2.1049 Billion (around 700 percent of quota or about US$2.9 billion) to help the country implement their `Homegrown Economic Reform Plan’ to maintain macroeconomic stability and improve living standards.     The program aims to support the authorities’ implementation of their ambitious reform agenda and catalyze concessional donor financing. The Executive Board’s decision will enable an immediate disbursement equivalent to SDR 223.85 million (about US$308.4 million). The Executive Board today also concluded the 2019 Article IV consultation with Ethiopia. A press release will be issued separately.     At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. David Lipton, First Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, stated:     “A decade of rapid growth, underpinned by strong policies, has supported a reduction in poverty and improved living standards in Ethiopia. However, the public investment-driven growth model has reached its limits. The authorities have prepared a Homegrown Economic Reform Plan to address macroeconomic imbalances, reduce external and debt vulnerabilities, phase out financial repression, and lay the foundation for private sector-led growth.  “A financial arrangement with the Fund will support the authorities’ plan, helping to catalyze concessional financing from other development partners. The program aims to address foreign exchange shortages and external imbalances; reform state-owned enterprises (SOEs); safeguard financial stability; and strengthen domestic revenue mobilization.  “Monetary tightening and reforms will help rein in inflation, facilitate credit to the private sector, and strengthen competitiveness. Greater exchange rate flexibility, supported by tighter monetary policy, will durably address foreign exchange shortages and narrow the spread between the official and parallel market rates. Further efforts are needed to modernize the monetary policy framework and deepen financial inclusion." Dubious, but not as bad as UNSG Antonio Guterres' on Sutton Place in Manhattan while he bans Press from the UN and benefits from immunity despite links to convicted UN briber CEFC China Energy. The UN's failure to live up to the principles it preaches to others will bring it low.

On November 7 Inner City Press asked: "On Equatorial Guinea, what is the status (and dollar volume) of the IMF's consideration of a program, and the weighing if at all on the length of time Obiang has been in power? "The loan, the amount of which has not been revealed, is scheduled to be considered by the IMF executive board in December."

 From the IMF's November 7 transcript, with video on page: "There's another question from Matthew, which I'll take on Equatorial Guinea, asking what's the status and the volume of the IMF's consideration of a program for Equatorial Guinea and the weighing, if at all, length of time that President Obiang has been in power. On that, I can say that just recently on October 21st, the Equatorial Guinea authorities and an IMF team reached staff level agreement on a three-year arrangement. Again, under the extended Fund facility, which is the more concessional arm of the IMF's lending. The authorities are working on an agreed set of measures that could allow the new program to be considered by the IMF's Executive Board in December. And Matthew had asked about the volume. We're looking at the program that could be supported by approximately $280 million. So, that's four [sic] Equatorial Guinea.  And anything else in the room?"

On September 26 Spokesperson already then Gerry Rice,  for new Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, on Turkey said "this is also from Matthew, he has asked ' On Turkey, what is the IMF's response to ruling AKP deputy chair Numan Kurtulmuş criticizing a meeting between IMF & opposition parties, saying Turkey has "closed the topic with the IMF."'

  Then Rice said it is normal to meet with opposition - except in Cameroon, apparently - and that there has been no indication from the Turkish authorities they are looking for a program.

  On September 12 Inner City Press asked the IMF: "On Zimbabwe, please confirm or deny IMF's Patrick Imam saying that "it is clear, compared to the projections of the original SMP, which did not foresee the severity of the drought and its secondary impact, nor the electricity shock, that growth is almost certainly going to be revised downwards and inflation upwards compared to the original SMP forecasts." And what is the IMF's view of the (economic) impact of the crack down on protest and human rights defenders?"

  Spokesperson Gerry Rice said that the IMF team is in Harare, from September 5 to 17. On human rights, he said the IMF "focuses on economics" and that such questions should be directed to... bilateral creditor. At least he didn't say the UN, which under Guterres doesn't care.

More here.

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