The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Tuesday called on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to accelerate resource
mobilisation to meet social needs in the country.
PANA reports that the call was contained in a statement following an IMF delegation’s visit to the country.
The delegation, led by Norbert Toe, visited Kinshasa and Lubumbashi 11-25 Feb. to conduct the 2014 Article IV consultation discussions with the DRC.
The discussions covered economic and financial developments in 2013 and the policies needed to consolidate macroeconomic stability and foster inclusive growth.
The statement also disclosed that the delegation met with Prime Minister Matata Ponyo Mapon, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Budget Daniel Mukoko Samba, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for Finance Patrice Kitebi, and Central Bank of the Congo (BCC) Governor Deogratias Mutombo Mwana Nyembo.
Mr. Toe was quoted as saying: “The DRC continued to maintain macroeconomic stability thanks essentially to the steadfast pursuit of a tight fiscal policy stance.
“The economy is estimated to have expanded by 8.5 percent in 2013, extending the
strong growth recorded in 2012. Output of the mining sector continued to be the main
driver with copper production alone exceeding 900,000 tons.
“At end-December 2013, annualised inflation fell to 1.1 percent, a record low and below the authorities’ medium-term objective of close to 4 percent, which is appropriate for an economy like the DRC undergoing deep structural changes.”
He, said the mission and the government agreed that the main challenges are to sustain macroeconomic stability and endeavour to improve the living conditions of the vast majority of the DRC population.
