G7 favors debt standstill for poorest countries, if G20 agrees

Finance ministers and central bankers from G7 countries said Tuesday they favor a temporary halt to debt payments from the world's poorest countries, but only if G20 governments also agree.

Noting that poor countries face the most hardship in trying to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the Group of Seven advanced nations said it stands "ready to provide a time-bound suspension on debt service payments" owed to their governments "if joined by all bilateral official creditors in the G20 and as agreed with the Paris Club." The G20 includes major emerging market economies like China and Russia. The aim of the initiative endorsed by the G7 is to "provide liquidity support to help these countries deal with the health and economic impacts of the crisis," according to a summary released after G7 officials met by video conference. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank have called for official creditors to provide relief to the world's 76 poorest countries and the IMF on Monday approved a six month standstill on debt payments from 25 nations, mostly in Africa. The officials from the seven advanced nations said they would also work with the Institute for International Finance global banking association to "call on private creditors to provide comparable treatment." The G7 also "reiterated their pledge to do whatever is necessary to restore economic growth and protect jobs, businesses and the resilience of the financial system." "Ministers and Governors remain committed to use all available policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.