WASHINGTON, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday completed the third review under the four‑year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Nepal, allowing the authorities to withdraw the equivalent of special drawing rights (SDR) 39.20 million (about $ 52.25 million). This brings total disbursements under the ECF for budget support thus far to SDR 166.90 million (about $ 222.5 million).
The ECF arrangement for Nepal was approved by the Executive Board on January 12, 2022 in an amount equivalent to SDR 282.42 million (180% of quota or about $ 376.5 million).
Nepal has made good progress with the implementation of the programme, which has helped mitigate the impact of the pandemic and global shocks on economic activity, protect vulnerable groups, and preserve macroeconomic and financial stability. The programme is also helping to catalyze additional financing from Nepal’s development partners.
Nepal’s post-pandemic rebound, fuelled by a credit boom, ended last year as growth slowed markedly. Low domestic demand helped resolve external pressures but also deflated government revenue and led to a widening of the fiscal deficit despite expenditure control. Inflation is declining but remains high at 8.2% in September. Growth is expected to recover to 3.5% in FY2023/24, which is below potential, led by increased domestic demand, new hydroelectric capacity, and a continued recovery in tourism.
Risks are skewed to the downside. External sector risks dominate Nepal’s outlook given its high remittance income and dependence on imported goods. Domestically, further deterioration in bank balance sheets or lack of progress in addressing the deficiencies identified by the Asia Pacific Group of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) could create financial system stress.
Following the Executive Board discussion, Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, remarked, “Nepal has made important strides on its economic reform agenda. Decisive actions in monetary policy, bank regulation and rolling off Covid support policies played a major role in overcoming urgent balance of payments pressure in FY2021-22. Reserves continue to rise without the need to use distortive import restrictions. Fiscal discipline was maintained in FY2022-23 despite a large revenue shortfall. Bank supervision and regulation have improved with the rolling out of new supervisory information systems, the Working Capital Loan Guidelines and Asset Classification Regulations. Nepal’s medium-term outlook remains favourable as strategic investments in infrastructure, especially in the energy sector, are expected to support potential growth.”
The statement issued by IMF Executive Board said, “With growth below potential, boosting the execution of capital spending while maintaining fiscal discipline — growth friendly consolidation—is critical to provide much-needed stimulus to near-term economic growth and achieve investments that will underpin medium-term growth. Maintaining momentum on governance reforms is critical to cementing recent gains in fiscal transparency. Further structural reforms, including to mobilise domestic revenue, strengthen public investment management and address fiscal risks, are needed to bolster medium term fiscal sustainability.”
“As monetary policy transmission appears weak in a context of balance sheet repair and inflation is elevated — though declining —maintaining the current cautious and data dependent monetary policy is appropriate to preserving price and external stability. Financial policy should remain vigilant and focused on building regulatory frameworks to avoid further boom-bust cycles and establish a more stable, pro-growth financial sector equilibrium. Reforms regarding lending practices and asset classification are encouraging and need to be continued as preparations for the loan portfolio review of the ten largest banks gather steam. Implementation of the financial sector reform agenda should continue with a view to aligning the local framework more closely to international standards.
“Improving the anti‑money laundering/combatting the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework and its effectiveness in line with international standards and peer evaluations is urgently needed to maintain smooth access to the global financial system. Reforms to implement the 2021 IMF Safeguards Assessment recommendations regarding the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Act and NRB audit are a priority.
The statement said, “Continued progress on the structural front is also needed to foster investment and more inclusive growth. These include improving the business climate, building human capital, and continuing to improve social safety nets, in particular the coverage of the child grant programme.”
