Press Release No. 11/146

Press Release No. 11/146
April 21, 2011

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), today issued the following statement on Côte d'Ivoire:

“The IMF welcomes the ending of the armed conflict in Côte d'Ivoire. I hope that peace and order can be restored speedily and I extend my condolences to all those who have lost family and friends.

“I met with Finance Minister Charles Koffi Diby during the Spring Meetings and assured him that we at the IMF will do all we can to assist the new government in fostering a rapid and sustainable economic recovery in Côte d’Ivoire and in paving the way for reaching the completion point under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC), at which point Côte d’Ivoire will benefit from a sharp reduction in its external debt burden. Minister Diby noted that the immediate priorities for the new administration included the restoration of law and order, the reopening of government institutions, the provision of essential public services, and the restoration of normal operations in the banking sector. A process of national reconciliation will be needed to help bring about lasting peace.

“The IMF stands ready to provide technical assistance and financial support to the new government. Once the Ivoirien authorities complete an initial assessment of conditions on the ground, IMF staff are ready to enter into discussions with the authorities on an economic recovery program for 2011. Financial assistance could follow once the main elements of the recovery plan have been finalized.”