empty
12.04.2022 10:01 PM
Emerging markets start to crumble: Sri Lanka nears default

On Tuesday, April 12. The central bank of Sri Lanka reported that the repayment of external debt according to the established schedule is no longer possible. The government is trying to actively use its dwindling foreign exchange reserves to import basic necessities such as fuel, leaving the repayment of coupon payments overboard until better times.

Emerging markets to crumble: Sri Lanka nears default

This image is no longer relevant

To date, it is known that the reserves of the island state have decreased by more than two-thirds, as tax cuts and the coronavirus pandemic have severely damaged its economy, which depends on tourism. Government spending caused by debt has become a heavy burden on the island's economy.

It has not been calm inside the state for a long time: street protests against the shortage of fuel, electricity, food and medicines have been going on for more than a month.

"We need to focus on the main imports and not worry about servicing the external debt," the head of the central bank of Sri Lanka, Nandalal Weerasinghe, told reporters. "It has come to the point that paying off the debt is difficult and impossible."

The head also said that payments will be suspended until the country comes to an agreement with creditors and with the support of a loan program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On Monday, Sri Lanka begins formal negotiations with the world lender on the provision of emergency loans to support priority needs.

This year, the country has repayments on foreign debt in the amount of about $4 billion, including $1 billion international sovereign bonds maturing in July. Two coupons are due to be paid on Monday.

Murtaza Jafferji, the broker's representative, believes that we are talking about an inevitable default: "This is positive for the economy, because we used scarce resources in foreign currency to service our debt when we could not afford it. This will free up funds for our own citizens..."

He said Sri Lanka's decision covers about $25 billion of bilateral and commercial debt, including about $12 billion of international sovereign bonds.

Senior sovereign markets strategist Timothy Ash said that "my only surprise is that it took so long for the Colombo administration to come to terms with the reality on the ground."

"It is logical to declare a moratorium on payments until they develop a program with the IMF and agree on terms with bondholders," Timothy believes.

Sri Lanka's dollar-denominated sovereign bonds showed significant gains on Tuesday, with long-term issues rising by more than 1 cent in dollars, according to data from Tradeweb.

According to Refinitiv, the government's hard currency bonds are mostly trading at extremely problematic levels of just under 40 cents on the dollar, while bonds maturing on July 25 last traded at a price of just over 50 cents.

Governor Weerasinghe said the repayment call was accepted in good faith, stressing that the country of 22 million people has never violated its obligations to pay the debt.

Although the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has drawn the attention of economists, it should be noted that the impact of the pandemic has not been canceled. China is using unprecedented measures to restrict movement in large cities that have become targets of infection. All this affects the exports of one of the largest suppliers of raw materials and finished goods, again affecting supply schedules and increasing shortages in international markets.

In addition, the borrowing burden of developed countries is flowing into emerging markets and third world countries, forcing them to be the first to fall under the onslaught of inflation.

Obviously, we will see a similar picture in some other regions, especially among small states whose opportunities are limited by the lack of export diversification.

Egor Danilov,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

Bitcoin bulls and bears engaged in tug-of-war. BTC barely reacts to US inflation

Currently, the flagship cryptocurrency is aiming for new highs, but it is still facing obstacles along the way. The latest challenge comes from the ongoing battle between bulls and bears

Larisa Kolesnikova 16:51 2025-06-16 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 16

US equity indices ended Friday's session in the red as escalating tensions between Israel and Iran drove oil prices higher and fueled market uncertainty. The S&P 500 fell by 1.13%

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:50 2025-06-16 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 13

Despite the ongoing S&P 500 rally, investors remain interested in stocks, largely ignoring the mounting risks and instability in the global economy. This confidence is fueled by expectations of further

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:29 2025-06-13 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 12: US stock market closes lower in light of US-China trade deal

US stock markets ended the session lower after the US and China had nailed down the highly anticipated trade deal. Despite the positive news backdrop, investors began to lock

Ekaterina Kiseleva 16:31 2025-06-12 UTC+2

Robinhood drops from the S&P 500 — domino effect hits global markets

Robinhood shares fell after the trading platform was excluded from the S&P 500. Warner Bros. stock declined following the company's announcement of plans to restructure its business. European stocks slid

14:54 2025-06-11 UTC+2

Daily contrasts: Nikkei rises, EUR slips, global markets hold breath ahead of US-China talks

J.M. Smucker declines. The World Bank cuts its 2025 global growth forecast. Nikkei advances, while Wall Street futures and the euro weaken. The dollar shows little movement, and bond markets

14:31 2025-06-11 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 11

The US stock market has reached projected levels and now enters a "quiet scouting phase" as investors await the release of key inflation figures. The upcoming data

Ekaterina Kiseleva 13:57 2025-06-11 UTC+2

Contrasts of the day: Nikkei up, euro down, world holds breath ahead of US-China talks

J.M. Smucker falls after pessimistic forecast World Bank cuts global growth forecast for 2025 Nikkei up, Wall Street futures and euro fall Dollar little changed, bonds await CPI and auction

Thomas Frank 07:48 2025-06-11 UTC+2

Rates rise: markets Await CPI, Trump clashes with Musk, Qualcomm acquires Alphawave

The May CPI report is set for release on Wednesday. A budget bill takes center stage amid a public disagreement between Trump and Musk. Alphawave surged following news

14:05 2025-06-10 UTC+2

US Market News Digest for June 10

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices posted notable gains, driven by upbeat expectations ahead of the upcoming US-China trade negotiations. Investors are betting on a potential easing of tariffs

Ekaterina Kiseleva 12:52 2025-06-10 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.