02258cas a2200253 a 4500 AALejournalIMF020940 230101c9999 xx r poo 0 0eng d 5.00 USD 9781513543192 1934-76851 BD-DhAAL BD-DhAAL International Monetary Fund. African Dept. Mali: Requests for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility and Rephasing of Access Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Mali. French Mali : Requests for Disbursement Under the Rapid Credit Facility and Rephasing of Access Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Mali. Washington, D.C. : International Monetary Fund, 2020. 1 online resource (44 pages) IMF Staff Country Reports <strong>Off-Campus Access:</strong> No User ID or Password Required <strong>On-Campus Access:</strong> No User ID or Password Required Electronic access restricted to authorized BRAC University faculty, staff and students The COVID-19 pandemic has added to Mali's significant security and social challenges. The outbreak reached Mali relatively late, with first confirmed cases on March 24 and 293 cases (seventeen deaths) as of April 22, 2020. The authorities took early containment measures in March and announced a package of economic and social support measures in early April. Growth is expected to decelerate sharply in 2020 as a result of declines in travel, trade, FDI and remittances. Job losses, weak social safety nets amid high informality, food insecurity and a fragile health system will exacerbate social challenges. Lower economic activity and the policy response will exert significant pressures on the budget and the balance of payments, opening financing gaps of 2.9 and 3.1 percent of GDP, respectively. Mode of access: Internet IMF Staff Country Reports; Country Report ; No. 2020/153 Full text available on IMF http://elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2020/153/002.2020.issue-153-fr.xml IMF e-Library