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Debt Relief

External debt relief refers to the reduction or forgiveness of the debt owed by developing countries to external creditors such as governments, international organizations, and private lenders. The main types of external debt relief for developing countries are:

  1. Debt forgiveness: This involves the complete cancellation of a portion or all of the debt owed by a developing country to its creditors. This is often granted in exchange for certain conditions, such as policy reforms or improved governance.
  2. Debt rescheduling: This involves the extension of the repayment period or the postponement of debt payments to ease the debt burden of the developing country.
  3. Debt reduction: This involves reducing the amount of debt owed by a developing country, either through a one-time write-off or through a reduction of interest rates.
  4. Debt buyback: This involves a developing country purchasing its own debt from creditors at a discounted price, thereby reducing its debt burden.
  5. Debt-for-development swap: This involves a developing country exchanging its debt for investments in social or economic development projects.
  6. Debt-for-nature swap: This involves a developing country exchanging its debt for investments in environmental conservation projects.

Each type of debt relief has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the appropriate type of debt relief will depend on the specific circumstances of the developing country. The international community has made efforts to provide debt relief to the poorest and most heavily indebted countries, with the aim of reducing poverty and promoting sustainable economic growth.

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