Monday, 16 September 2013

World Bank noncommittal on Myanmar ‘possession’ of $11b in foreign bank accounts

The World Bank on Thursday released a statement regarding Myanmar local media reports about the country’s alleged possession of US$11 billion in five foreign bank accounts.

The World Bank was responding to recent Myanmar media reports about the settling of arrears earlier this year by the government of Myanmar with the World Bank.


“Mr. Jelson Garcia works for Bank Information Centre, a non-government organization. He does not represent the World Bank or speak on behalf of the World Bank,” said the statement. 

It also said that the Government of Myanmar made a strategic decision to clear its arrears with the World Bank and gain access to long-term, interest-free financing to support reforms for the benefit of the people of Myanmar. This was a prudent decision at a moment of potential macroeconomic stress and sent a positive signal to the global community, said the statement.

The World Bank statement added that it is common for governments to hold reserves in foreign bank accounts in order to facilitate importation of goods and services and management of the exchange rate.

The statement did not, however, say whether or not Myanmar had $11 billion worth of foreign banks accounts, as alleged by Garcia. 

source: Eleven Myanmar

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