WASHINGTON, March 20, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - The IMF board of directors will meet
Friday to discuss Argentina's requested deal to restructure its $45 billion
debt.

  The country's Senate on Thursday gave final approval to an agreement with
the International Monetary Fund that restructures the debt, clearing the
country's short-term financial horizon but leaving a serious inflationary
challenge.

  The agreement now just needs signing by the IMF board of directors.

  "The legislative approval is an important signal that Argentina is
committed to policies that will encourage more sustainable and inclusive
growth," Gerry Rice, IMF director of communications, said in a statement
Saturday.

  The meeting will be held Friday, he said, "to allow time to take account of
the fast-changing global environment -- including the war in Ukraine."

  An agreement on a refinancing program was sealed between the government and
IMF on March 3.

  The $45 billion debt is the legacy of a record loan contracted in 2018
under former president Mauricio Macri.

  The agreement is the 13th that Buenos Aires has signed with the IMF since
the return of democracy in 1983.

  Prior to the Agreement, Argentina was at risk of default.