Ms. Amina Mirghani, Governor of the Central Bank of Sudan, addressed today, 15 April, in Washington, United States of America, the annual meeting of the IMF Managing Director, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, with Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from the Middle East and North Africa region.
The Governor noted that the 15 April 2023 war, which has now completed its third year, has had severe negative impacts on the overall economic performance of the country. It has led to a deterioration across all economic indicators and a decline in gross domestic product due to the shutdown of most economic sectors and the freezing of productive activities.
She also stated, during her speech at the meeting attended by all Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in the region, that the American–Iranian war has further exacerbated the economic crisis facing all countries in the region, resulting in a sharp rise in the prices of strategic commodities in general, and petroleum products in particular, in addition to increased transportation and insurance costs.
The Governor further said that the state has made considerable efforts to restore economic stability and provide a minimum standard of living for citizens. She highlighted the significant success achieved in this regard, relying on domestic resources and the sincere efforts of national authorities, without any support or assistance from the International Monetary Fund or its institutions.
In her concluding remarks, she called on the international community to play its role in providing technical and financial support to countries affected by these wars, with particular emphasis on dedicated assistance to Sudan as a member of the international community.
She stressed the importance of the IMF and its institutions working closely with Sudanese economic authorities to provide the necessary technical and financial support to overcome these crises, noting the need to resume Article IV consultations with the Fund, continue debt relief efforts under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, and restore suspended debt relief pathways.
She also called for supporting women’s efforts to return to work and production and safeguarding their right to a dignified life, especially as she is the first woman to hold this position representing women in Sudan.
It is worth noting that the Governor heads the Sudanese delegation participating in these meetings, accompanied by the State Minister of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Noor, First Deputy Governor Mr. Al-Mu’tasim Abdullah, and several technical experts from the Ministry and the Central Bank.
