IMF reaches agreement with Argentina to release USD 5.4 bn loan tranche

The International Monetary Fund on Friday reached an agreement with Argentina that will release the next USD 5.4 billion disbursements under the loan program aimed to help stabilize the South American nation's economy. The IMF board must approve the fourth review of the country's performance under the before Buenos Aires will have access to the funds. The board meeting is set for July 12.

"Argentina's economic policies are yielding results," acting IMF chief David Lipton said in a statement, noting that the government achieved all the targets agreed with the fund including on budget policy and social spending. "I fully support Argentina's efforts to bolster confidence, lay the foundation for sustainable growth and protect the most vulnerable."

While inflation remains high it "is expected to continue to fall in the coming months," Lipton said. "There are also signs that the economy is improving in the second quarter." President Mauricio Macri has faced increasing pressure over the misfiring economy with presidential elections set for October.

He was forced to impose austerity measures as authorities struggled to stabilize the currency and rein in inflation to ensure access to IMF funding. Argentina originally secured a USD 50 billion financing package from the IMF in June 2018, before returning to the fund to ask for an additional USD 6 billion and accelerated disbursements in exchange for tougher conditions.

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