Barbados’ 2018–19 Sovereign Debt Restructuring–A Sea Change?

Author/Editor:

Myrvin Anthony ; Gregorio Impavido ; Bert van Selm

Publication Date:

February 21, 2020

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary:

This paper examines the causes, processes, and outcomes of Barbados’ 2018–19 sovereign debt restructuring—its first ever. The restructuring was comprehensive, featuring several rarely used approaches, including the restructuring of treasury bills, and the use of a retrofitted collective action mechanism. The debt restructuring has helped to set Barbados’ public debt on a clear downward trajectory. A sustained reform effort, maintaining high primary surpluses and ambitious structural reforms, will be needed to gradually reduce public debt from about 160 percent of GDP before the restructuring to the country’s 60 percent debt-to-GDP target.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2020/034

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

February 21, 2020

ISBN/ISSN:

9781513529967/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2020034

Pages:

29

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org