Malawi Thursday got one hand on the highly anticipated four-year $174 million Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after reaching a staff level agreement with the IMF Mission that was in the country since September 12. Following the agreement, the country awaits the all-important approval from the IMF Management and Executive Board, which is expected to consider Malawi's case in mid- November. IMF Mission Chief for Malawi Mika Saito told reporters in Lilongwe that the agreement is also subject to receipt of the necessary financing assurances by Malawi's partners and creditors. Saito said building on the track record under the Staff Monitored Programme with Executive Board involvement (PMB), the proposed ECF arrangement will support Malawi's ongoing efforts to restore a stable and sustainable macro-economic position and growth envisaged under Malawi 2063.