WASHINGTON — Sixty-two percent of the International Monetary Fund's lending in response to the coronavirus pandemic went to 21 countries in Latin America because the region was so hard hit, Reuters cited IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as saying on Tuesday.

Georgieva told a panel hosted by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, that the Fund had plenty of lending firepower left, and would focus on helping countries in the region take the "turn towards a greener and digital and fairer economy."

Latin America had 8% of the world's population, but about 20% of the COVID-19 infections and 30% of the deaths, and the end of the pandemic was not yet in sight, Georgieva said.

She said the IMF's forecasts for 2021 called for global growth of 5.2% in 2021, with emerging markets to expand by 6%, but Latin America was expected to grow only 3.6%.

The IMF chief said countries in the region could ensure better growth in the future by investing in human capital and education, addressing persistent inequalities and creating more opportunities for young people, women and entrepreneurs. — Agencies