Press Release No. 19/381

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva Supports Somalia’s Efforts To Achieve Debt Relief

October 19, 2019

Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), met with Hassan Ali Khaire, Prime Minister of Somalia yesterday in Washington and issued the following statement:

“I had a good and constructive meeting with Prime Minister Khaire at the IMF headquarters. I congratulated the Prime Minister for the continued strong implementation of Somalia’s economic reform program amid challenging circumstances, and we exchanged views on the importance of securing debt relief under the Highly-Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative as soon as possible. The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s strong commitment to reforms under the current Staff Monitored Program (SMP) and highlighted its completion of the 9^th National Development plan, both of which aim to meet requirements of the HIPC initiative.

“Maintaining strong performance, together with support from international partners, will pave the way for Somalia to receive debt relief in the near future. I assured the Prime Minister of the IMF’s full support for Somalia’s efforts to secure debt relief, including working with the membership of the Fund to secure the financial resources necessary to clear arrears to the IMF and cover the costs of debt relief.”