"Zimbabwe Central Bank owes over $4bn for food, fuel supply"

" Zimbabwe Central Bank owes over $4bn for food, fuel supply \r\n\r\nZimbabwe\u2019s central bank has racked up debts of more than $4 billion to banks and companies including commodities giant Trafigura Group and national flag carrier South African Airways.\r\n\r\nThose Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe debts relate to the supply of fuel, corn and other goods and services, as the state attempts to prop up the faltering economy. The southern African nation is suffering from market turmoil as new tax rules drive a rebound in the currency, which was previously devalued to tame triple-digit inflation and the world\u2019s highest interest rates.\r\n\r\nTrafigura is the No. 2 creditor, owed $66 million, behind another commodity trader Holbud Ltd., which is owed $85 million, according to a report made public Thursday by Treasury\u2019s Public Debt Management Office. SAA, which has been revived after being placed in business rescue, is owed $61 million for airline services.\r\n\r\nThe central bank\u2019s quasi-fiscal activities have been criticized before by the International Monetary Fund, which has urged authorities to end them. Zimbabwe can\u2019t access credit from international financial institutions as it\u2019s already $17 billion in arrears.\r\n\r\nZimbabwe\u2019s Treasury said it will seek lawmaker approval to assume the central bank\u2019s external obligations. The list of creditors range from individuals, private companies, banks and financial institutions, including the Cairo-based Africa Export-Import Bank.\r\n\r\nRead More: World\u2019s Worst Currency Flips to Best to Upset Zimbabwe\u2019s Economy\r\n\r\nBloomberg News reported last April that Trafigura and Zimbabwe\u2019s government discussed a deal that would give the commodities trader control over output from some of the nation\u2019s biggest mines as repayment for debts.\r\n\r\nA spokeswoman for Trafigura declined to comment."

"Zimbabwe Central Bank owes over $4bn for food, fuel supply"

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