Zimbabwe must clear arrears of over $1bn to international financial institutions and implement sound policies, before it can expect a resumption of financial and technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund.

In a statement at the end of a two-week visit to Harare, the IMF said it was ready to assist Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s new government but such assistance would depend on “a track record of sound policy implementation, donor support and a resolution of overdue financial obligations to official creditors”.