AMMAN — Jordan is in discussions with the IMF seeking to change some of the objectives of a four-year programme of structural reforms because of the negative impact of the coronavirus on the aid-dependent economy, the central bank governor said on Tuesday. Most of the main assumptions of the programme had been designed before the outbreak. "All the economic variables and economic figures, whether the budget or balance of payments or even in energy, all these variables have changed," Central Bank Governor Ziad Fariz told Jordan's Al Mamlaka television station. "The IMF is aware the variables have changed and we are in a discussion over this," he added. The kingdom's economy has suffered since it closed its borders nearly a month ago, followed by a tight lockdown that has shuttered businesses and paralysed public life.

Source: International New York Times April 07, 2020 23:37 UTC