La Paz (AFP)
The International Monetary Fund has granted a credit of $ 320 million to Bolivia to help it cope with the emergency expenses generated by the Covid-19 epidemic.
"We turned to the IMF and it approved a loan of 320 million dollars, which will help the budget and also everything related to the coronavirus. There are no prerequisites," announced on Saturday. Bolivian Minister for the Economy, José Luis Parada.
"The Covid-19 pandemic will have serious repercussions in Bolivia. IMF emergency assistance will help cover medical expenses and emergency assistance while meeting the needs of countries," said the spokesperson. his share the IMF in a statement.
The South American country had not used the international institution under the presidency of Evo Morales (2006-2019), who had always refused to do so for ideological reasons.
The ex-head of state reacted on Twitter: "" We left a #Bolivia with stability and economic growth and not a single dollar from the International Monetary Fund but, now, the de facto government has turned to the IMF for a loan with the condition of applying labor flexibility, the reduction of the state and the privatization of "public services.
Bolivia, which has so far had nearly 500 contaminations with the new coronavirus and more than 30 dead, has implemented containment procedures.
© 2020 AFP