Mmegi

IMF throws its two cents into savings debate

Offering advice: The IMF recommends the establishment of a full sovereign wealth fund in the country PIC: EASTASIAFORUM.COM
Offering advice: The IMF recommends the establishment of a full sovereign wealth fund in the country PIC: EASTASIAFORUM.COM

The IMF recommends that Botswana transform the Pula Fund into a sovereign wealth fund that would be funded by a set commitment to budget surpluses and used to boost the country’s weakening savings. MBONGENI MGUNI reports

Researchers at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently published a 20-page report detailing the urgency and benefits of transforming the Pula Fund into a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) and weighing the various ways government could do this.

Through various scenarios and comparison with best-case SWFs in Norway and Chile, the researchers estimated that maintaining an overall budget surplus of about one percent of Gross Domestic Product over the medium term and channelling this to an SWF, would be sufficient to create a credible insurance buffer against shocks.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up