Greece ready to repay IMF loan “on time”
Greek officials said on Friday the country has enough money to pay the International Monetary Fund (IMF) a loan tranche of €460 million which is due on April 9.
"We strive to be able to pay our obligations on time,” the Greek Deputy Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas told Greece's Skai TV. "We are ready to pay on April 9."
The announcement came amid fears that the debt-laden country will not be able to re-pay the IMF loan. This came after reports emerged on Thursday that Athens had explained to its creditors that it would run out of money by the April 9 deadline.
Nevertheless, many still believe that Greece does not have the cash and risks a rare default on loan.
"As the Ministry of Finance we are interested in repaying our obligations on time… As of now everything is fine. Everything that is due to be repaid and planned will be done," said Dimitris Mardas.
Greece's total debt to the troika of international creditors, comprising the European Union, the European Central Bank and the IMF, stands at around $270 billion.
Greece is required to repay another $220 million to the IMF on May 1, with the next $840-million tranche scheduled for May 12, Sputnik news agency reported.
In February, the country's new left-wing government promised to pursue economic reforms after Greece and eurozone finance ministers agreed to extend the bailout deal for four months.
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