logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
27m 25s

Sri Lanka bailout: Will it really get be...

Bbc World Service
About this episode
IMF has approved a $3bn bailout package for the bankrupted Sri Lanka. The nation's foreign minister pledged to reconstruct its state-own enterprises and their national airline but it seems like there is still a long road ahead for the island in South Asia, after getting multiple blows by the pandemic, increasing energy prices, tax cuts and the skyrocketed in ... Show More
Up next
Today
Trade, not aid, for Africa
As the UK government targets developing nations with new trade measures, we hear from trade minister Douglas Alexander on whether it can prove to be a workable lifeline for African countries affected by western states cutting their international aid budgets. David Harper speaks t ... Show More
26m 27s
Yesterday
Trump plans to impose 50% tariffs on Brazil
The US president, Donald Trump, has made public the tariffs he intends to slap on imports from another group of countries, including Brazil, from the start of August. The chipmaker Nvidia has become the first company in the world to reach a market value of $4tn on Wednesday. Davi ... Show More
27m 12s
Yesterday
"Now we do copper" - Donald Trump targets the crucial metal in a trade war
What could the threat of a 50% tariff mean for Chile's copper producers as prices for the metal hit a record high in the US?Also, why is the price of solar panels falling if demand is still growing?And we're at the largest agricultural show in England to hear what's on the mind o ... Show More
26m 26s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
Sri Lanka: Is $3 billion enough to save the economy?
From the BBC World Service: Sri Lanka has been battling economic breakdown for nearly a year. A foreign reserve crisis toppled the country’s president and led to shortages and soaring inflation. Now a $3 billion rescue package has been agreed upon with the International Monetary ... Show More
8m 4s
Apr 2022
Sri Lanka's debt crisis
Why is Sri Lanka facing its biggest economic crisis for decades? It's left the population enduring months of power cuts, while essentials are in short supply. How has the country's debt spiralled out of control and what will a debt default mean for ordinary people? We hear from p ... Show More
17m 28s
Jul 2022
Sri Lanka overthrew its president, what now?
Sri Lanka’s president just resigned after months of protest and a deepening economic crisis. Despite Rajapaksa’s departure and the celebratory scenes of demonstrators partying at the president’s home, the people of Sri Lanka have a massive debt hole to climb out of and people hav ... Show More
27m 52s
Mar 2023
Will a $3bn bailout be enough for Sri Lanka?
The IMF’s board has finally backed a $3bn bailout for Sri Lanka to help relieve a ‘catastrophic’ economic and social crisis, shares in First Republic Bank tumbled 47 per cent on Monday despite a $30bn rescue deposit last week, and Credit Suisse bondholders were in uproar after th ... Show More
10m 16s
Jul 2022
Is Sri Lanka’s economic crisis a canary in the coal mine?
Sri Lanka is facing dire fuel and food shortages amid ongoing economic and political crises. In this week’s episode, the FT’s Antoni Slodkowski shares what he’s seen after a week of reporting in Sri Lanka. And then, emerging markets correspondent Jonathan Wheatley explains how th ... Show More
17m 28s
Jun 2022
How did Sri Lanka's economic crisis get this bad?
Sri Lanka's economic crisis seems to be going from bad to worse. The government has now restricted the sale of fuel days after the Prime Minister said the economy had completely collapsed. So what's caused the crisis? And what are the consequences? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra  Gue ... Show More
21m 55s
Apr 2022
Protesters, power cuts and Sri Lanka’s persistent president
Empty shelves, rising food and fuel costs along with power cuts are unifying much of Sri Lanka against its president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. And now, the economic crisis may be even worse. Rajapaksa’s government is announcing the country is no longer able to repay billions in loans. ... Show More
22m 32s
May 2023
Leaving Sri Lanka
In the past year, Sri Lanka has endured political pandemonium and the worst economic crisis in its modern history. The situation has led to the highest number of people leaving the country on record.The Sri Lankan government has secured an IMF bailout - but will that help stop th ... Show More
18m 37s
Oct 2022
Sri Lanka: Life after an economic crisis
In April 2022, Sri Lanka was gripped by a major economic crisis. Prices were rising sharply, protests started in the capital, Colombo,and spread across the country.Daily power cuts and shortages of basics such as fuel, food and medicines were commonplace. Inflation was running at ... Show More
19m 30s
Jul 2022
Sri Lanka's crisis and its relationship with China
Sri Lanka is in crisis right now. After months of fuel, medicine and food shortages, protestors have taken to the streets – and the homes of the country’s leaders. The now-former Prime Minister’s house was set ablaze. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to Singapore, then resigned. ... Show More
20m 56s