BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina has sealed a $20 billion extended fund facility (EFF) with the International Monetary Fund and dismantled large parts of its currency controls as libertarian President Javier Milei looks to drag the country out of a prolonged economic slump.

Argentina sealed a $20 billion, 48-month Extended Fund Facility deal with the International Monetary Fund on Friday and, in a major policy move ahead of the deal, dismantled key parts of its years-long currency controls and loosened its grip on the peso.

Argentine President Javier Milei’s economy minister announced on Friday that the libertarian government would lift the country’s strict capital and currency controls in a few days, a high-stakes gamble made possible by a new loan from the International Monetary Fund.