NAIROBI, April 10 (Reuters) - Burundi's economy is
forecast to grow 3.3% this year from an estimated 1.8% in 2022,
although delayed rains at the end of last year and limited
fertiliser supplies will hurt agricultural production, the
International Monetary Fund said on Monday.
The fund said it had reached a staff-level agreement with
the central African economy on a new 40-month arrangement under
IMF's Extended Credit Facility for about $262 million, subject
to its executive board's approval.
With a population of 12 million, Burundi's economy is
heavily dependent on agriculture revenues, in particular from
tea and coffee.
Burundi's economy is only beginning to recover from years of
conflict and political upheaval under former leader Pierre
Nkurunziza that left key sectors blighted.
It faced a shortage of hard currency in the wake of a 2015
political crisis that prompted donors to suspend aid, but in
2022, the European Union agreed to resume financial support and
the United States pledged aid.
(Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Christina Fincher)
george.obulutsa.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
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