We downgraded global and LatAm growth markedly in April, but since then activity has contracted even faster than expected.

Capital inflows to the MENA region will remain high despite the global backdrop. We expect the plunge in oil prices and widening fiscal deficits will lead to a decline in private non-resident capital flows to oil importers, but will be partly offset by higher official flows. 

The May 2020 IIF Global Regulatory Update provides updates on current work streams.

Russia’s assets are stabilizing, and investors are showing renewed interest. The “Fortress Russia” strategy has reduced macroeconomic vulnerabilities. We expect both the fiscal and monetary policy responses to remain modest. As the economy is set to reopen, COVID-19 infections continue to spread.

Zambia’s external financing picture will continue to deteriorate in 2020. Sharply lower commodity prices will be a drag on the current account. At the same time, external debt repayments are set to increase markedly. As a result, already low foreign reserves are likely to fall even further. Additional external support of $0.5-1.0 bn would likely stabilize reserves.

With pandemic response a key driver, global debt is set to hit $325 trillion by 2025—up sharply from $255 trillion in 2019; U.S. general government debt is on track to exceed 120% of GDP this year, up from 102% in 2019; China’s total debt hit 317% of GDP in Q1 2020, up from 300% in Q4 2019—the largest quarterly increase on record; China is now the world’s largest bilateral lender to G20 DSSI-countries, holding some 25% of their external debt  

China’s rising CPI, elevated debt, and deteriorating external positions prevented strong credit stimulus in 2019. Policy impulses came mainly in the form of fiscal spending in 2018 and tax cuts in 2019. Stimulus in 2020 requires better coordination among fiscal, monetary and credit policies.

Pressure on SSA assets has intensified due to COVID-19 related shocks. In this note, we analyze the composition of external flows to the region. SSA has become more globally integrated and reliant on portfolio flows. This makes the region more exposed to swings in investor sentiment.

Lebanese authorities have developed a five-year comprehensive reform program, which could be supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility. If implemented effectively we expect the macroeconomic situation to stabilize and an orderly debt restructuring, though significant challenges remain. 
 

In this special quarterly supplement to the Global Debt Monitor, we look at the impact of COVID-19 on sustainable debt markets (bond and loans), with comprehensive coverage of more than 150 countries across all sectors.