IMF: Reconstruction in liberated cities is slow
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that reconstruction in Iraqi cities liberated from Da’ash is proceeding at a slow pace.
The IMF said in a press release after the conclusion of the Executive Council Article IV consultations for 2019 with Iraq and viewed by the “economy News”, the non-oil GDP rose by 0.8% year on year in 2018, referring to “weak implementation of reconstruction And other public investments.”
The IMF stressed that “the gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by about 0.6 percent with the reduction of oil production under the OPEC + agreement,” and predicted that “the budget will return to a deficit of 4% of GDP in 2019.”
Growth in non-oil GDP is also expected to reach 5.5% in 2019, but will decline again in the medium term.
The IMF warned of two things: “the main risk to the prospects of falling oil prices, which could reduce exports and reduce budget revenues, and thus lead to a sharper decline in reserves or a sharper rise in public debt” and “risks stemming from tensions And the possibility of social unrest in the context of weak public services and lack of progress in the fight against corruption.
The IMF stressed that the Iraqi authorities should “seize the opportunity to improve the security situation and increase oil prices to implement structural policies and reforms aimed at ensuring macroeconomic and financial stability, addressing long-standing social problems and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.” Source
