This is a new issuance of SDRs and the largest in the IMF’s history, allocated by the size of each economy. Some authoritarian governments, such as Russia, China and Iran, qualify because the governments are broadly recognized by others. Myanmar, now ruled by a military junta that took control in a February coup, will also be unable to draw on them. Belarus can because most nations still recognize the Lukashenko government. The infusion will be a sizable boost for Belarus, which has only about $7.4 billion in international reserve assets, of which $3 billion is in foreign currencies.

Source: Washington Post August 18, 2021 17:37 UTC