World Bank Chief Expects G20 to Extend Debt Payment Freeze Through End-2021

The G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative had already helped countries defer some $5 billion in payments through the end of 2020, with another $7.3 billion in deferred payments expected through June, Malpass told reporters.

Extending the debt payment freeze through year-end would save even more money that countries could use to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and support their economies, but ‘actual debt relief’ would be needed in the longer-term to allow the poorest countries to bring their debt burdens to a more moderate level.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal)