OSLO: Norway today signed a contribution of NOK40 million (about US$4.8 million) to a new phase of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF)’s Managing Natural Resource Wealth Fund. Mr. Jon Lomøy,Director General of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and Ms. Carla Grasso, IMF Deputy Managing Director, signed the letter of understanding in Washington today.
Ms. Grasso made the following statement at the conclusion of the meeting: “I’m pleased that Norway, a key partner in IMF capacity development, will provide NOK40 million (about US$4.8 million) to support the Managing Natural Resource Wealth Fund. This responds directly to international priorities on effectively mobilizing and managing public resources in resource-rich countries. We look forward to further deepening our capacity development partnership with Norway to the benefit of our member countries and in the spirit of the Financing for Development Agenda.”
Mr. Lomøy said: “Norway has a strong cooperation with the IMF for the delivery of capacity development in partner countries. We are pleased to build on the successes of the first phase of the Managing Natural Resource Wealth Fund and support the second phase. Our support to this fund complements the capacity development we provide through the Norwegian Oil for Development program. Continuing our contribution allows us to support countries in managing revenues and promoting economic stability at a time when they face challenges in achieving their development goals in the face of the global commodity price slump.”
