Washington, DC –
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund discussed today a
Management-approved PMB for Ukraine.
[1]
This 4-month PMB is designed to help Ukraine maintain stability and
catalyze donor financing.
At the conclusion of the Executive Board’s discussion, Ms. Gita Gopinath,
First Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, made the following
statement:
“Russia’s invasion continues to have a devastating social and economic
impact on Ukraine. Civilian casualties are mounting, over a third of the
population has been displaced, access to basic needs such as electricity,
water, and heating is at risk, and the destruction of housing,
infrastructure, and productive capacity has been massive. As a result,
economic activity has severely contracted, inflation remains high, and
public finances are under extreme pressure.
“Notwithstanding all these strains, the authorities have largely managed to
maintain macroeconomic and financial stability, and they are committed to
continue adapting policies to fast changing circumstances, including in the
case of a severe downside scenario. Balance of payment needs remain very
large and risks are exceedingly high.
“Against this background, management has approved the authorities’ request
for Program Monitoring with Board Involvement (PMB). The PMB is tailored to
Ukraine’s exceptional circumstances, to help the authorities implement
prudent macroeconomic policies during this particularly difficult period
and catalyze donor financing. Large and predictable external financial
support will be critical for the success of the authorities’ strategy, and
frontloaded disbursements would help address strains in early 2023.
“The PMB focuses on a targeted set of policy actions to support
macroeconomic and financial stability. This will require enhancing revenue
mobilization, containing monetary financing and therefore reviving domestic
debt markets. At the same time, the PMB seeks to promote transparency and
preserve hard-won gains from past Fund-supported programs, including in the
areas of independence of the National Bank of Ukraine and, more broadly,
governance and anti-corruption. Strong implementation of the PMB should
help pave the way toward a possible full-fledged IMF-supported program.’’
[1]
IMF policy was recently modified to allow for Program Monitoring
with Board involvement
(PMB).https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/10/05/pr22335-imf-approves-a-new-food-shock-window-and-an-enhanced-staff-monitored-program