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One big number: Funds for Sri Lanka

Up to $7 billion: The amount of funding Sri Lanka can access from IMF and international financial institutions (IFIs) after the bailout.

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Place of interest: Pakistan

While the IMF approved a bailout for Sri Lanka, another hopeful contender—Pakistan—who was meant to receive funding assistance in December is still waiting in the wings. The IMF says Pakistan has made “substantial progress,” such as raising taxes, cutting energy subsidies, and raising interest rates, but there are still more hoops to jump through.

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The country is really in dire straits. By the start of March, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves dwindled to $3 billion—just enough for three weeks of imports. Ally nations like Saudi Arabia have also washed their hands of the matter, steering clear of providing any more bailouts or interest-free loans.

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