Public Information Notice No. 11/82

Public Information Notice: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2011 Article IV Consultation with Mozambique

June 27, 2011

On June 17, 2011, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Mozambique.¹

Background

Mozambique has sustained strong economic growth over nearly two decades, helped by foreign investment, mainly in mega-projects in the natural resource sector, and generous support by development partners. However, trend growth has declined in recent years and poverty reduction stagnated, suggesting the need for building more inclusive growth through economic diversification, employment creation, and the expansion of social protection.

Mozambique has weathered the adverse shocks of recent years relatively well. Economic growth remains one of the highest in the region, partially reflecting the authorities’ supportive policy stance during the global crisis. Growth in 2010 is estimated at 6½ percent, supported by external demand. Inflation, even excluding food and fuel, strongly picked up and reached double digits, triggered by the accommodating monetary policy adopted during the crisis and a depreciating exchange rate during much of the year. The current account deficit narrowed more than expected, supported by buoyant mega-projects exports. Strong revenue collections, reflecting tax administration efforts, and spending restraint helped contain the fiscal deficit in 2010, in spite of the high costs of the fuel subsidy which put pressures on domestic spending.

Mozambique’s medium-term outlook remains favorable. Economic growth is projected to accelerate to 7¼ percent in 2011 and close to 8 percent over the medium term. This mainly reflects strong new mega-project activity and stepped-up public investment. Headline inflation is projected to decline to single digits as a result of appropriately tight macroeconomic policies, while Mozambique’s external position should remain comfortable. Nonetheless, continued spillovers from international food and fuel prices could be a drag on macroeconomic and social stability.

Significant policy challenges remain over the medium term. The new Poverty Reduction Strategy aims to respond to these challenges and create the conditions for high, sustained, and inclusive economic growth. This includes policies to increase production and productivity in labor-intensive sectors, such as agriculture, and promoting employment through improvements in the business environment. Private sector activity would benefit from a larger contribution of the financial sector. Fiscal space needs to be created to finance large public investment and support an expansion of social protection, while safeguarding macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. This will hinge on enhancing government revenues, safeguarding donor support, pursuing a prudent borrowing strategy, and stepping up debt management and investment planning. Continued improvements in public financial management will facilitate expenditure prioritization and execution.

Executive Board Assessment

Executive Directors commended the authorities for prudent policies that have resulted in a strong economic performance. Directors noted that, although Mozambique’s medium-term prospects continue to be favorable, significant challenges remain in managing macroeconomic risks and ensuring that the benefits from growth are shared fairly across the population.

Directors underscored that safeguarding price stability and containing inflation expectations remain key policy priorities for the period ahead. In this regard, they supported the authorities’ intention to tighten fiscal and monetary policies as needed to bring about an early and sustained decline in core inflation.

Directors welcomed the authorities’ new Poverty Reduction Strategy (PARP). They supported the goals of broadening the country’s productive and export base, creating additional employment opportunities, and expanding the social safety nets. Continued structural reforms to improve productivity and the business environment will be important to achieve sustained growth and poverty reduction. Directors encouraged the authorities to seek the expertise of development partners in designing well-targeted social protection systems.

Directors supported the authorities’ prudent fiscal stance aimed at preserving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. They welcomed the authorities’ intention to gradually phase out the fuel subsidy. With a view to creating fiscal space, Directors encouraged the authorities to sustain efforts to improve tax administration and seek new revenue sources. In particular, they encouraged the authorities to adopt a prudent approach to generating additional budgetary revenue from the natural resource sector while protecting Mozambique as a destination for foreign investment. Directors emphasized the importance of adhering to a prudent borrowing strategy, further strengthening debt management, and improving investment planning.

Directors noted the resilience of the banking system during the global crisis, and recommended continued vigilance in light of remaining vulnerabilities. In particular, Directors stressed the importance of adequate capital buffers at all banks, better diversified loan books, and a strict oversight of financial flows between banks and their parent companies abroad. They welcomed progress in establishing a crisis resolution framework and enhancing bank supervision, while noting the need for steps to make the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework more effective.

Directors welcomed the authorities’ acceptance of the obligations under Article VIII of the Fund’s Articles of Agreement.