Ministers attend IMF and World Bank spring meetings
THE Kingdom of Eswatini is being represented by the Ministers of Economic Planning and Development, and Finance at the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) spring meetings in Washington DC, USA.
These meetings are described as pivotal platforms for global economic discourse and strategic planning.
Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg and Minister of Economic Planning and Development Dr. Tambo Gina are representing the Kingdom in the strategic gathering.
At the forefront of discussions are the various instruments for mobilizing World Bank financing and support, with a focus on elucidating the diverse range of products offered by the Bank. One notable product under scrutiny is the conversion of existing World Bank loans to Eswatini into the South African Rand (ZAR), aimed at mitigating the impact of exchange rate volatility on loan repayment. Delegates have shown significant interest in this product, expressing a willingness to delve deeper into its potential benefits.
Meetings
The spring meetings, convened annually in April, bring together key stakeholders from around the world to deliberate on pressing economic issues and chart a course for collaborative action. In their capacity as Governors of the IMF and World Bank, the Eswatini ministers are spearheading the nation’s engagement with these influential institutions and ensuring that Eswatini’s voice is heard on the global stage.
Inclusion
Accompanying the ministers are the Principal Secretaries of both ministries Thabile Mlangeni and Sizakela Dlamini, along with the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Phil Mnisi, the Deputy Governor Felicia Dlamini-Kunene, and officials from the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) and the Centre for Financial Inclusion.
According to IMF, the spring meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the
World Bank Group (WBG) bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.
Also featured are seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world’s financial system.