IMF Executive Board Approves New Two-Year US$23 Billion Flexible Credit Line Arrangement for the Republic of Poland | WPN World People News

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Wednesday approved a successor two-year arrangement for the Republic of Poland under the Flexible Credit Line (FCL) with reduced access in an amount equivalent to SDR 15.5 billion (about US$23 billion, or
918 percent of quota). The Polish authorities intend to treat the arrangement as precautionary and do not intend to draw on the FCL.

The Republic of Poland’s first FCL arrangement was approved on May 6, 2009. Successor arrangements were approved on July 2, 2010; January 21, 2011 ; and January 18, 2013.

“Poland has very strong economic fundamentals and policy frameworks. The fiscal position is sound and public debt is sustainable. Its credible inflation targeting regime is an effective tool for macroeconomic management. The flexible exchange rate has played a stabilizing role, acting as a shock-absorber during periods of volatility in global financial markets. The banking system is liquid, well capitalized, and profitable, bolstered by an effective financial supervision.

“The authorities have continued to rebuild policy space and further strengthen policy frameworks. Gradual fiscal consolidation has continued and a permanent expenditure rule, implemented in 2013, is expected to help safeguard long-term fiscal soundness. International reserves have increased and are broadly adequate against standard benchmarks. In the banking system, reliance on cross-border parent bank funding has declined and foreign currency mortgage origination was halted with the tightening of prudential rules.

“External risks have abated somewhat but remain elevated. A protracted period of slower growth in the euro area could have large effects on Poland via trade and confidence channels. An abrupt surge in volatility in global financial markets, or a severe deterioration in external financing conditions could affect Poland’s economy given its relatively high external financing needs. Persistent geopolitical tensions in the region add to downside risks.

“Against this background, a successor two-year FCL arrangement with lower access, which the authorities intend to continue to treat as precautionary, reinforces Poland’s buffers against external risks, helps sustain market confidence, and supports the authorities’ sound economic strategy. In addition, the lower access sends a clear signal of the authorities’ intention to exit from the FCL arrangement once external risks recede.”

Source: International Monetary Fund