IMF approves $147 mln to help Gabon fight coronavirus - statement

JOHANNESBURG, April 10 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Executive Board has approved a disbursement of $147 million under its Rapid Financing Instrument to help Gabon confront the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fund said in a statement.

"In the short term, a temporary widening of the budget deficit is warranted to contain the virus outbreak and offset the social and economic impact of the pandemic," IMF Deputy Managing Director Mitsuhiro Furusawa said. (Reporting by Joe Bavier. Editing by Jane Merriman)