The country's total external debt servicing crossed $4.6 billion mark during first nine months of current fiscal year, ie, 2012-13 (FY13), mainly due to repayment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). "The higher external debt servicing is owing to repayment of Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) to the IMF. Although, this is a good indication that the burden of external debt is gradually reducing, however in short term, the higher debt servicing puts a negative impact on the economy," economists said.