IMF credit must be string-free, says Kamal

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has categorically said the government will take string-free loan from the international lender IMF and the condition will favour Bangladesh economy and the people of the country.

“We are yet to appeal for the credit to the IMF and the lender has not also offered us any budget support,” Kamal said on Wednesday following a virtual cabinet committee meeting on public purchase and economic affairs.

A nine-member IMF mission is in the city and the government is having consultations with them soliciting a $4.5 billion budget support credit.

The minister, however, said the IMF consultative team usually extends some good advice about budget management, NBR reform and how to increase tax collection.

Kamal also maintained that IMF loan should be string-free and favourable to Bangladesh without which “we do not ask for IMF loan.”

Rahul Anand, the division chief in the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, is leading the team.