Israel was well-prepared to face COVID-19 crisis, says International Monetary Fund

Minister of Finance Israel Katz welcomed the IMF report as “another expression of confidence in the Israeli economy and its stability.”

By Aryeh Savir, TPS

Israel’s financial system was well prepared to face the coronavirus crisis, stated the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) initial summary of its 2020 report on the Israeli economy.

The annual IMF delegation, led by Iva Petrova, submitted its initial report on Thursday to Minister of Finance Yisrael Katz and the Bank of Israel Governor Professor Amir Yaron upon completion of the delegation’s meetings in Israel.

The IMF is expected to publish its final report on Israel’s economy for 2020 in December.

The report outlines the economic background conditions and the strength of the Israeli economy at the start of the crisis,and the policy measures taken to support the economy, both through the fiscal policy operated by the ministry of finance and the government and through the monetary policy operated by the Bank of Israel.

The report also describes the challenges facing the Israeli economy both as it continues to deal with the crisis and afterwards.

In its report, the IMF noted that the Israeli banks have strong capital and profitability positions, supported by conservative business models.

Relatively tight macroprudential policies instituted prior to the pandemic provided ample space for policy relaxation, allowing banks to continue supporting the economy.

Banks have substantial capacity to face large and prolonged shocks even after the recent release of capital buffers.

Nonetheless, the IMF cautioned that unless further downside risks materialize, the level of minimum regulatory capital should not be lowered further, and structural buffers should eventually be restored.

Minister of Finance Israel Katz welcomed the IMF report as “another expression of confidence in the Israeli economy and its stability.”

He noted Standard and Poor’s (S&P) recent announcement that it was leaving Israel’s credit rating unchanged at its high AA- level with a stable outlook.

“The Israeli economy entered the global crisis when it was stable, strong and prosperous – thanks to its strong foundations. In addition, I have formulated, together with the professionals in the Ministry of Finance, comprehensive assistance programs that help employees, the self-employed and the motivation of the Israeli economy,” he said.

“Together with the professionals in the Ministry of Finance, we will continue to formulate the budget for 2021, which we will bring to the government’s approval in December, along with promoting a series of arrangements and reforms that will benefit the economy and every citizen in Israel.”

The Moody’s international rating agency announced last month that Israel will maintain its high A1 credit ranking, despite the economic crisis.

Israel’s economy is expected to contract by 5.5 percent in 2020, for the first time in over two decades, but then to recover and grow by more than 6% by 2021.

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