Paris Club Approaches China, India for Sri Lanka Debt Overhaul

  • Group of creditors is awaiting responses from both nations
  • Creditors committee could help Sri Lanka secure IMF funding

Bloomberg – Paris Club creditors reached out to China and India to coordinate Sri Lanka’s debt-restructuring talks, according to a person familiar with the matter, in an attempt to bring major global creditors together to rework the obligations of emerging economies.

The club, an informal group of mostly rich, western bilateral creditors, is awaiting a response from both countries after it sent an official request in late August to work together, said an official who declined to be identified because talks are continuing.

Coordinating on Sri Lanka may result in the formation of an official creditors committee or simply holding regular meetings to share information on debt treatment, the official said.

Sri Lanka’s presidency said it’s unaware of the efforts by the club. An Asian diplomat in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, confirmed that the Paris Club had been in contact with the country’s non-Paris Club creditors. Chinese and Indian government officials weren’t available for comment on Wednesday due to public holidays.

The formation of an official creditors committee in which China and India agreed to work together with the Paris Club would help Sri Lanka secure a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund. The Washington-based lender announced a staff-level deal with the government last month, and needs assurances from creditors that they’re willing to negotiate a restructuring before its board can give final approval and start disbursing the much-needed funding.

Sri Lanka defaulted for the first time in May and aims to finalize debt-restructuring talks with international creditors by the second quarter of 2023. The government has said it will ensure transparency and equal treatment among creditors.

The post Paris Club Approaches China, India for Sri Lanka Debt Overhaul appeared first on Adaderana Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News.

Source From biz.adaderana
Author: Bizweb2 Bizweb2
#SriLanka #News #lka