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Thursday,
March 05 2020 /09:54 AM / By Kristalina Georgieva,
IMFBlog / Header Image Credit: Xavieramau/Istock By Getty Images
We all recognize that the
situation with the spread of the coronavirus is very serious and could well get
worse. This affects us all. Let me start with what we know and what we don't
yet know about the coronavirus and then how the global community can support
those affected by this crisis in an effective and coordinated way.
What We Know
We know that the disease is spreading quickly. With over one-third of
our membership affected directly, this is no longer a regional issue-it is a
global problem calling for a global response.
We also know that it will eventually retreat, but we don't know how fast
this will happen.
We know that this shock is somewhat unusual as it affects significant
elements of both supply and demand:
Experience suggests that
about one-third of the economic losses from the disease will be direct costs:
from loss of life, workplace closures, and quarantines. The remaining
two-thirds will be indirect, reflecting a retrenchment in consumer confidence
and business behavior and a tightening in financial markets.
The good news is that
financial systems are more resilient than before the Global Financial Crisis.
However, our biggest challenge right now is handling uncertainty.
Under any scenario, global growth in 2020 will drop below last year's
level. How far it will fall, and for how long, is difficult to predict, and
would depend on the epidemic, but also on the timeliness and effectiveness of
our actions.
This is particularly challenging for countries with weaker health
systems and response capacity-calling for a global coordination mechanism to
accelerate the recovery of demand and supply.
How to Respond at the Country
Level
The number one priority in terms of fiscal response is ensuring
front-line health-related spending to protect people's wellbeing, take care of
the sick, and slow the spread of the virus. I can't emphasize enough the
urgency of stepping up health-related measures-and the need to ensure the
production of medical supplies so that supply is at par with demand.
Second, macro-financial policy actions may be required to tackle the
supply and demand shocks that I mentioned above. The aim should “no regretâ€
actions that shorten and soften the economic impact. They should be timely and
targeted to the sectors, businesses, and households hardest hit.
A generalized weakening in demand through confidence and spillover
channels-including trade and tourism, commodity prices, and tighter financial
conditions-would call for an additional policy response to support demand and
ensure an adequate supply of credit.
Third, adequate liquidity will also be needed to offset financial
stability risks.
In short, the situation is evolving rapidly and we should stand ready to
provide a more forceful, coordinated response if conditions require it. Along
these lines, I welcome the statement from the G7 yesterday that they are ready
to cooperate further on timely and effective measures.
How the Fund Can Help
For our part, the Fund is ready to help its membership. The IMF is
making available about $50 billion through its rapid-disbursing emergency
financing facilities for low-income and emerging market countries that could
potentially seek support. Of this, $10 billion is available at zero interest
for the poorest members through the Rapid Credit Facility.
There are many members at risk, including those with weak health
systems, inadequate policy space, commodity exporters exposed to terms-of-trade
shocks, and others that are particularly vulnerable to spillovers.
I am particularly concerned about our low-income and more vulnerable
members-these countries may see financing needs rise rapidly as the economic
and human cost of the virus escalates.
Our staff are currently working on identifying vulnerable countries and
estimating potential financing needs should the situation deteriorate further.
The Fund has resources available to support the membership:
The Fund is fully committed to supporting our member countries,
particularly the most vulnerable; we have the tools to help; and we are
coordinating closely with our partner institutions.
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