Paula lugones
09/10/2020 - 12:05
Clarín.com
Economy
Washington (correspondent) .- The International Monetary Fund indicated that it is currently negotiating
"virtually"
with the Argentine authorities, who are in a
"very early stage of the process"
and that the Budget that President Alberto Fernández will send to Congress , which includes fiscal targets,
"is also part of the dialogue."
“We are in the very early stages of the process.
In this phase we are concentrating first of all on listening to the Argentine authorities about their priorities, ”said the Fund's Communications Chief Gerry Rice at an online press conference this Thursday in Washington.
"At this time our negotiations are being held virtually,
I do not have a date or deadline for a physical visit by the IMF to Argentina, at least not at this time," he
added about a possible technical mission to our country to analyze in the the situation of the economy and talk face to face with the authorities and leaders of different sectors of the country.
This modality in times of pandemic has been complicated, but
the Fund does not rule out that the mission can also be carried out virtually.
After restructuring the debt with the bondholders, the Government formally opened talks with the IMF to begin renegotiating the loan it has with the agency, which granted
57,000 million dollars (44,000 disbursed) in a Stand By agreement.
The Fund believes that it is a process that can take months and that
it is in no hurry to define it
because it seeks to make it a solid and durable agreement.
They could renovate the Stand By or reconvert it into another one of Extended Facilities, with longer payment terms, but that would require structural reforms.
“We are analyzing the facts, gathering information on the current economic situation and establishing the modalities of joint work with the authorities.
All of this is taking place in a climate that I would define as very constructive, ”said the spokesperson.
"We hope to continue working on the Government's plans to promote macroeconomic stability, growth and job creation and reduce poverty and of course to help Argentina fight the pandemic, which is an additional challenge facing the country" .
Asked about the fiscal goals and whether the budget that President Alberto Fernández will send to Congress had been discussed, Rice said: “We are in a preliminary stage of participation and analysis of the authorities' plans and listening to them, but
of course the fiscal plans and budget of the authorities should be and will be part of this dialogue.
We look forward to continuing to work with the authorities ”.
