Suriname and the IMF Reach Staff-Level Agreement

May 18, 2023

• The IMF staff team and Surinamese authorities reached a staff-level agreement on the second review of the authorities' economic recovery program supported by the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The review is subject to approval by the IMF's Executive Board.
• Suriname's economy continues its slow post-pandemic recovery, but the shock of higher commodity and food prices in the second half of 2022 on the Suriname's import-dependent economy compounded significant pre-existing policy challenges and eroded performance under the program. The economic environment remains fragile, with rapid exchange rate depreciation and high inflation imposing a heavy burden on the society.
• The Surinamese authorities have made concerted efforts to bring the program back on track. The government's near-term priority is to implement a prudent fiscal policy that is consistent with stabilizing the economy while protecting vulnerable households and supporting growth-enhancing investment.

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