Definition: Decision point

Category: External debt - IMF

In the context of the HIPC Initiative, the point at which a country’s eligibility for assistance is determined by the IMF and World Bank Executive Boards on the basis of a debt-sustainability analysis and three years of sound performance under IMF- and World Bank-supported adjustment programs. The international community enters into a commitment at the decision point to deliver assistance at the completion point, provided that the debtor adheres to its policy commitments. The debt-sustainability analysis is essentially a medium-term balance of payments projection that assesses the debt burden of the country and its capacity to service those obligations. If external debt ratios for that country fall within or above applicable targets, it will be considered for special assistance: the target is 150 percent for the ratio of the present value of debt to exports, with exceptions to this target in the special case of very open economies with a high debt burden in relation to fiscal revenues. At the decision point, the Executive Boards of the IMF and World Bank will formally decide on a country’s eligibility, and the international community will commit to provide sufficient assistance by the completion point for the country to achieve debt sustainability calculated at the decision point. The delivery of assistance committed by the IMF and Bank will depend on satisfactory assurances of action by other creditors. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/statmanuals/files/external_debt_guide_2003_EN.pdf#page=255