IMF: Zimbabwe’s Growing External Arrears Chocking Ailing EconomyThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Zimbabwe’s external position is precarious, with low international reserves, a large current account deficit, an overvalued real exchange rate, and growing external arrears. In a statement to announce the completion of a third review of the Staff-Monitored Program SMP) and approval of a successor SMP covering the period October 2014 to December 2015, the IMF said credit and deposit growth have slowed down sharply, liquidity conditions are tight, and the banking system remains weak. It said sustaining higher growth and poverty reduction will require comprehensive reforms over the medium term. The successor SMP aims at laying the foundations for such reforms. The IMF said, “The main objective of the new program is to strengthen the country’s external position, as a prerequisite for arrears clearance, resumption of debt service, and restored access to external financing. To that end, the authorities will strive to consolidate the fiscal position, eliminating the primary budget deficit by end-2015. “They will also aim to accumulate international reserves and seek to mobilize international support for resolving the country’s external debt situation. The authorities intend to restore confidence in the financial sector, as well as improve public debt and financial management. It noted that the Zimbabwe government plans to make progress in a number of key structural reform areas in order to enhance the business climate, boost productivity and competitiveness, and build confidence. “Successful implementation of these reforms will demonstrate that the country can implement the policies that could justify a Fund-financed program.” KEY RISKS The organization said key risks to the new program stem from global commodity price shocks, domestic policy slippages, gaps in policy implementation capacity, and lagging progress in resolving external arrears. “While Zimbabwe faces these risks with practically no buffers, the successor SMP aims to rebuild these buffers and strengthen the country’s resilience to shocks.” It said, “Strong macroeconomic policies and debt relief, in the context of a comprehensive arrears clearance strategy supported by development partners, will be essential to address Zimbabwe’s developmental needs.” “A successful implementation of the SMP would be an important stepping stone toward Zimbabwe’s normalizing relations with the international community. IMF staff welcomes the authorities’ decision to start discussions with multilateral creditors to address Zimbabwe’s outstanding arrears, and exploring the possibility of debt rescheduling.” It further said the IMF staff will remain engaged with the authorities to monitor progress in the implementation of their economic program, and will continue providing targeted technical assistance in order to support Zimbabwe’s capacity-building efforts and its adjustment and reform program. GDP DECELERATION According to the organization, Zimbabwe’s economy is at a crossroads. The economic situation remains difficult. The post-hyperinflation rebound has ended. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth decelerated from 10½ percent in 2012 to 4½ percent in 2013, due to adverse weather conditions, weak demand for key exports, and election-year uncertainty. The outlook in 2014 is for continued low growth of 3 percent. Annual inflation dipped below zero recently, but stood at 0.1 percent in September 2014. Fiscal pressures arose in early 2014 due to higher-than-budgeted wage increases and revenue shortfalls as the economy weakened. However, the implementation of a package of revenue and expenditure measures enabled the authorities to comfortably meet their fiscal targets for the first half of 2014. The SMP that expired in June 2014 provided an important anchor for Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic policies under what the IMF says were difficult political and economic circumstances.