In an exclusive interview with the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), confirmed that the annual meeting of the IMF and the World Bank will proceed as scheduled on Monday in October in Marrakech.
After a number of discussions among Moroccan officials, the IMF, and the World Bank regarding Morocco’s ability to host the meetings after the earthquake and whether to proceed or postpone, Georgieva declared, “The announcement we are making together with the Minister of Finance and the World Bank President is that the meetings will go forward as planned” on October 9-15.
The IMF Chief expressed her gratitude, saying, “We are very grateful to Morocco for its hospitality,” and she commended Morocco’s disaster response under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. “When a nation comes together it can overcome the most dramatic challenges, and this is what Morocco is doing, of course under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI and the government.”
The IMF head acknowledged the commitment of the Moroccan authorities to hosting the meetings. She expressed solidarity, stating “We will do our utmost best, as institutions, to be of help to Morocco not a burden.”
The Annual Meetings scheduled for October 9-15 will bring together central bankers, finance ministers, private sector executives, civil society representatives, media, and academics to discuss global issues like economic outlook, financial stability, poverty eradication, inclusive growth, and climate change.
For the first time in 50 years, reported MAP, these meetings will be held in Africa.