Standby Credit Facility Research Articles

Senegal: 2021 Article IV Consultation, Fourth Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument, First Reviews Under the Stand-By Arrangement and the Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility, and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria and Quantitative Targets

"Volume 2022 (2022): Issue 008 (Jan 2022): Senegal: 2021 Article IV Consultation, Fourth Review Under the Policy Coordination Instrument, First Reviews Under the Stand-By Arrangement and the Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility, and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria and Quantitative Targets" published on 14 Jan 2022 by International Monetary Fund.

Honduras: Fourth Reviews Under the Stand-by Arrangement and the Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility, Requests for Augmentation of Access, Extension and Rephasing of the Arrangements, and Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report

The protracted pandemic and two tropical storms have hit Honduras hard. Despite authorities’ responses, these shocks continue to weigh on activity; reconstruction needs are high while the outlook remains uncertain. The authorities plan to rebuild a more climate-resilient economy, given Honduras’ vulnerabilities to climate change. Presidential elections are scheduled for November 2021.

Honduras

This paper discusses Honduras’s 2019 Article IV Consultation and Request for a Stand-By Arrangement and an Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility. Supported by a Fund program that expired in December 2017, Honduras has reduced macroeconomic imbalances, institutionalized fiscal prudence, and laid the groundwork for a modern monetary policy framework. The authorities are committed to maintain prudent policies and to build on previous achievements to make progress in solving long-standing issues. The authorities’ economic program aims at maintaining macroeconomic stability, while enacting economic and institutional reforms to foster inclusive growth. Honduras needs to foster inclusive growth through reforms and better governance. Policy priorities include: reforms to increase the quality of fiscal policy, sustaining revenue mobilization efforts, protecting investment and social spending, and securing financial sustainability of the public electricity company; and reforms to enhance transparency and governance in the budget.

Rwanda: Eighth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument and Request for Extension, and Third Review Under the Standby Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Rwanda

This paper discusses Rwanda’s Eighth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI) and Request for Extension, and Third Review Under the Standby Credit Facility (SCF). The existing PSI and SCF arrangement have supported Rwanda’s efforts to address external imbalances, thereby supporting continued strong growth and durable poverty reduction. The SCF arrangement added a financing component to the existing PSI-supported program, which aims to promote private-sector led growth through safeguarding macroeconomic stability, including through external sustainability, fiscal sustainability based on continued improvements in domestic resource collection, low and stable inflation, and enhancing access to credit and deepening the financial sector.

Kenya: First Review Under the Twenty-Four Month Stand-By Arrangement and the Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility and Requests for Waivers of Applicability, Rephasing of Disbursements, and Modification of Performance Criterion-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kenya

This paper discusses Kenya’s First Reviews Under the Twenty-Four Month Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) and the Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility and Requests for Waivers of Applicability, Rephasing of Disbursements, and Modification of Performance Criterion (PC). Macroeconomic developments have been broadly in line with the program, including strong growth and lower current account deficits. On fiscal policy, revenue shortfalls in FY2015/16 were more than offset by under-execution of public investment. The IMF staff recommends completion of the first reviews and supports the authorities’ requests for waivers of applicability for SBA for end-December 2016 PC, rephasing of disbursements, and modification of PC.

Rwanda: Staff Report for the 2017 Article IV Consultation, Seventh Review Under the Policy Support Instrument, and Second Review Under the Standby Credit Facility- Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Rwanda

Rwanda: Staff Report for the 2017 Article IV Consultation, Seventh Review Under the Policy Support Instrument, and Second Review Under the Standby Credit Facility- Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Rwanda

Rwanda: First Review of the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement and Sixth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument, Request for Waiver and Modification of Performance and Assessment Criteria-Press Release; and Staff Report

This paper discusses Rwanda’s First Review of the Standby Credit Facility (SCF) Arrangement and Sixth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI), Request for Waiver and Modification of Performance and Assessment Criteria. Performance under the PSI and SCF-supported programs remains on track. Nearly all quantitative program targets and structural benchmarks were respected: two quantitative targets were missed by minor amounts, and one benchmark was delayed. The IMF staff recommends approval of the first review of the SCF arrangement and the sixth review of the program supported by the PCI, as well as the request for waiver of nonobservance of the continuous external arrears criterion, and modification of forthcoming program criteria.

Rwanda: Request for Extensions of the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement and the Policy Support Instrument-Press Release and Staff Report

Rwanda: Request for Extensions of the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement and the Policy Support Instrument-Press Release and Staff Report

2016 Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust - Review of Interest Rate Structure

This paper reviews the interest rate structure that would apply to the PRGT in 2017–18. Based on the interest rate setting mechanism agreed in 2009, the interest rate for the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) would be zero and the rate for the Standby Credit Facility (SCF) would be 0.25 percent. The interest rate for the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) was set permanently at zero in July 2015. Since the current mechanism was agreed, the Executive Board has granted successive exceptional interest waivers on all outstanding Fund concessional credit, setting all interest rates charged at zero percent. These waivers have been extended three times, providing interest rate relief to many low-income countries at a time when they faced considerable headwinds from the global economic environment. A strong case remains for maintaining zero rates on Fund concessional credit at the current global economic juncture. The global outlook for LICs has not significantly improved since the last review and downside risks remain significant. At the same time, many Directors noted at the last review in 2014 that the possibility of a prolonged period of very low interest rates warrants an early re-examination of the mechanism, including an exit strategy from repeated application of the waiver, with the objective of safeguarding the self-sustaining capacity of the PRGT. The paper seeks to respond to this call. It proposes that the PRGT interest rate mechanism be amended to accommodate anomalies created by a prolonged period of very low interest rates. Specifically, a new threshold is proposed whereby both the ECF and the SCF rate would be set at zero when the 12-month average SDR rate is less than or equal to 0.75 percent. This proposal will likely keep all PRGT interest rates under the mechanism at zero through at least 2020 given current market expectations while incurring only minimal subsidy costs and eliminating the need for continual waivers. In addition, staff proposes to waive interest rate charges on outstanding legacy balances under the Exogenous Shocks Facility (ESF), which are not determined via the interest rate mechanism, until the next review.

Kenya: Second Reviews Under the Stand-by Arrangement and the Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility, and Requests for a New Twenty-Four Month Stand-By Arrangement, and a New Twenty-Four Month Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kenya

This paper presents an overview of Kenyan economic development. It discusses recent economic development, outlook, and risks related to Kenyan economy, as well as policy and structural reforms. Although Kenya’s macroeconomic performance remains robust, external shocks complicated achievement of some program’s macroeconomic objectives. In light of persistent external risks and a weaker outlook, the authorities have requested continued program engagement with the IMF under new 24-month Stand-By Arrangement and Standby Credit Facility (with access of 130.67 percent and 65.33 percent of quota, respectively). The new program includes a comprehensive package of measures targeting a significant reduction in vulnerabilities, paving the way for an eventual exit from IMF arrangements.

Honduras: Second Reviews Under the Stand-By Arrangement and the Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility-Press Release; and Staff Report

This paper discusses Honduras’ Second Review Under the Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) and the Arrangement under the Standby Credit Facility (SCF). All 2015 end-June performance criteria and indicative targets were met, most with significant margins. On the structural side, June and September 2015 benchmarks were broadly observed. The revised program proposed for 2016 envisages a further strengthening of fiscal and net international reserve targets. The authorities are pressing ahead with structural reforms, including the introduction of a Fiscal Responsibility Law, an overhaul of tax administration, and reforms to the Honduran Social Security Institute. Based on performance to date and the authorities’ updated intentions and commitments, the IMF staff recommends completion of the second review under the SBA/SCF arrangement.

Kenya: Request for an Extension of the Arrangement Under the Extended Credit Facility-Press Release; and Staff Report

This paper requests an extension of the 12-month Stand By Arrangement and the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement to obtain enough time to finalize fiscal measures for 2015/16 and implement structural measures under the program. Although at a slower-than-projected pace, the economy continued to expand robustly. Driven by public infrastructure spending, buoyant credit growth, and strong customer demand, real GDP is estimated to have grown by 5.6 percent in 2015. As per the staff's assessment based on recent data, performance under the current program remains broadly satisfactory. Staff fully supports the authorities' request for extensions of the arrangements through March 15, 2016.

Kenya: First Review Under the Twelve-Month Stand-By Arrangement and the Arrangement Under the Stand-By Credit Facility, Request for Waivers for Non-Observance of Performance Criterion, and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Kenya

This paper discusses Kenya’s First Review Under the Twelve-Month Stand-by Arrangement and the Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility, Request for Waivers for Nonobservance of Performance Criterion (PC), and Request for Modification of PC. All quantitative PCs for end-March 2015 were met, but the continuous performance criterion on external arrears was not observed owing to the emergence of temporary technical arrears on external debt. The IMF staff recommends completion of the first review and supports the authorities’ request for a modification of PCs for end-September 2015, and for waivers for nonobservance of the PCs on external arrears.

Kenya: Request for Stand-by Arrangement and an Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility: Staff Report; Press Release; Statement by the Executive Director for Kenya

Kenya: Request for Stand-by Arrangement and an Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility: Staff Report; Press Release; Statement by the Executive Director for Kenya

Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust - Review of Interest Rate Structure

This paper provides the basis for the second review of the interest rate structure approved under the 2009 reforms of the Fund’s concessional lending facilities. Based on the application of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) interest rate mechanism, PRGT interest rates for 2015–16 would be zero percent for both the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Rapid Credit Facility (RCF), and 0.25 percent for the Stand-by Credit Facility (SCF). The interest rate on remaining balances of the Exogenous Shock Facility (ESF) is not set by the PRGT interest mechanism and it would be 0.25 percent. In accordance with the PRGT Instrument, the next review of PRGT interest rates will take place by December 31, 2016.

Honduras: Request for a Stand-by Arrangement and an Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility: Staff Report; Press Release

Honduras: Request for a Stand-by Arrangement and an Arrangement Under the Standby Credit Facility: Staff Report; Press Release

United Republic of Tanzania: 2014 Article IV Consultation, Third Review Under the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for a Waiver for Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion, and Financing Assurances Review-Staff Report; Press Release; and Statement by the Executive Director for the United Republic of Tanzania

United Republic of Tanzania: 2014 Article IV Consultation, Third Review Under the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement, Request for a Waiver for Nonobservance of a Performance Criterion, and Financing Assurances Review-Staff Report; Press Release; and Statement by the Executive Director for the United Republic of Tanzania

United Republic of Tanzania: Fifth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument, First Review Under the Standby Credit Facility, and Requests for a Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance and Assessment Criterion, Rephasing of the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement and Modification of Performance and Assessment Criteria�Staff Report; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for

United Republic of Tanzania: Fifth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument, First Review Under the Standby Credit Facility, and Requests for a Waiver of Nonobservance of a Performance and Assessment Criterion, Rephasing of the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement and Modification of Performance and Assessment Criteria�Staff Report; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for

United Republic of Tanzania: Sixth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument, Second Review Under the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement, and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria—Staff Report; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Tanzania

United Republic of Tanzania: Sixth Review Under the Policy Support Instrument, Second Review Under the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement, and Request for Modification of Performance Criteria—Staff Report; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Tanzania

Georgia: First and Second Reviews Under the Stand-By Arrangement and Under the Standby Credit Facility Arrangement, and Request for Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criterion—Staff Report; Press Release on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Georgia

The new government is committed to prudent macroeconomic policies and to enhancing Georgia’s business-friendly environment. Large external liabilities plus its high current account deficit remain the main sources of vulnerability, and reducing these in an orderly manner is a key macroeconomic challenge. Greater exchange rate flexibility should help align its monetary policy and exchange rate decisions more closely with its inflation. Maintaining central bank independence and increasing monetary policy transparency are welcomed by the Executive Directors. The impressive structural agenda aims at improving the business environment and at boosting competitiveness.