ADB approves USD 350 million loan for economic stabilisation in Sri Lanka

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday (29) approved a 350 million U.S. Dollar special policy-based loan to provide budget support to Sri Lanka for economic stabilisation, the ADB said in a press release.

The Bank said that the programme is part of a broader package of financial assistance anchored by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Extended Fund Facility for the country, which aims to stabilise the economy and lay the foundation for economic recovery and sustained growth.

It said Sri Lanka is facing a severe and unprecedented economic crisis and that high inflation has eroded purchasing power, livelihoods have been affected, and past development gains have been reversed.

“ADB is concerned about the deep crisis in the country and its impact on the people of Sri Lanka, especially the poor and the vulnerable, particularly women,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. “ADB is committed to standing with Sri Lanka as it addresses its present challenges and strides toward economic stabilization, sustainable recovery, and inclusive growth.”

Sri Lanka has embarked on bold reforms to address the causes of both internal and external imbalances and return to a sustainable debt trajectory, the Bank said.

The country faces a long road to recovery and must remain steadfast in the implementation of necessary reforms, which include enhancing tax revenue collection, strengthening public financial management, improving performance of state-owned enterprises, ensuring autonomy and independence of the central bank, safeguarding financial sector stability, and bolstering governance frameworks, it said.

As these measures are implemented, it is essential to ensure that adequate social protection is provided and implementing governance reforms and anticorruption measures will be critical, the ADB said.

Transparency and open communication will be crucial in building agreement around the reforms and the ADB will proactively engage with the government, other stakeholders, and development partners to help address structural impediments and plan future support, the bank said in the press release.

In 2022, in close coordination with development partners, ADB repurposed 334 million dollars of existing loans as emergency response to support the import of essential items such as fertiliser, medicines, chemicals for water treatment, working capital for small and medium-sized enterprises, and cash transfers to the most poor and vulnerable.

Trade finance lines through ADB Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program supported the import of essential items during the crisis.