Liberia Is On Path to Improve economy — Lagarde, MD IMF

Morovia, Liberia, Capital Markets in Africa — International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde arrived in Liberia Thursday 10 September to celebrate the resilience of the Liberian people and the leadership of President Johnson Sirleaf in overcoming the Ebola crisis.

Lagarde advised the government to stay its course of improving Liberian economy for the betterment of the country and the people.

Lagarde further said the key factors in Liberia’s success in the Ebola fight were the ability of the government to reach out and empower the local communities, and its leadership in coordinating the international intervention.

The IMF Managing Director, said ensuring the viability of the Liberian economy must remain the primary objective of the government because this is a massive effort of conducting democracy and growth, noting that the IMF is ever willing to help in this regard.

The Fund Head also urged President Sirleaf to continue to stabilize the economy noting that Liberia’s economy has suffered on account of the decline in the global commodity prices which got worse during the Ebola epidemic.

“Stay the course in the direction of improving the economy of Liberia,” she told a news conference. “You have the road map; you have a plan, and we want to cooperate.”

“That makes your massive effort of conducting democracy and growth in a post-conflict, post-epidemiological environment even much difficult,” Lagarde said.

During the Ebola crisis, the IMF provided around $130 million in new financing and debt relief for Liberia.