The IMF Working Papers series is designed to make IMF staff research available to a wide audience. With nearly 300 released each year, working papers cover a wide range of theoretical and analytical topics, including balance of payments, monetary and fiscal issues, global liquidity, and national and international economic developments.
Tamon Asonuma, Gerardo Peraza, Kristine Vitola, and Takahiro Tsuda
Publisher:
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Published Date:
July 2014
DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.5089/9781498369510.001
ISBN:
9781498369510
ISSN:
1018-5941
Page:
28
This paper examines the causes, processes, and outcomes of the two Belize sovereign debt restructurings in 2006-07 and in 2012-13 that occurred outside of an IMF-supported program. It finds that the motivation for the two debt restructurings differed, as the former was driven by external liquidity concerns while the latter was motivated by a substantial increase in the coupon rates and future fiscal solvency concerns. Despite differential treatment between residents and non-residents, both 2006-07 and 2012-13 debt exchanges were executed through collaborative engagement, due in part to the existence of a broad-based creditor committee and the authorities' effective communication strategy. However, while providing temporary liquidity relief, neither of the debt restructurings properly addressed long-term debt sustainability concerns. Going forward, the success of the 2012-13 debt restructuring will still depend on the country's ability to strengthen fiscal efforts and public debt management framework.