PM TIGRAN SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE IMF DELEGATION
armradio.am
17.09.2008 11:13
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received a delegation led by IMF
Director Lorenzo Peres. The delegation comprised head of the IMF
Armenia mission Martha Castello-Branco, IMF permanent representative
in Armenia Ninke Oomes, economists from the Fund.
Head of the IMF Armenia mission Martha Castello-Branco mentioned
that this final meeting can be stated with confidence that her visit
was sufficiently fruitful and the discussions with stakeholders were
useful. In her words, the talks on the IMF-supported 3-year program
held in the framework of the visit were nearing completion. According
to her, the new program will focus on the improvement of fiscal
and monetary policies, implementation of structural reforms toward
enhanced efficiency, minimization of hindrances to competitiveness
and improved governance. In order to succeed in these areas, Ms
Castello-Branco prioritized the fiscal reform aimed at improving tax
and customs administration.
"The world is facing a difficult period. Under these conditions,
the IMF will advise the Republic of Armenia to abide by cautious
macroeconomic policies and be prompt to tighten them if necessary," Ms
Branco said and expressed readiness to take up the key points in more
detail with the head of the Armenian government. From a structural
standpoint, the program seems to be well-balanced with a special
focus placed on tax reform. Specific actions were said to have been
implemented already, though there is still much to do in this area.
The Prime Minister welcomed the guest, stressing that the talks
with the IMF delegation were crucial and useful to the government of
Armenia as on the one hand, they allowed the government to get a fresh
perspective of the existing shortfalls while, on the other hand, any
talks help identify the cooperation areas ahead and the upcoming tasks
of the government. Tigran Sargsyan noted that as a matter of fact,
there is not a single issue on which the sides have different opinions:
there is a full consensus regarding the criteria testifying to the
fruitfulness of the ongoing talks. According to the Prime Minister,
it is essential now to make an accurate risk assessment and proceed
to program practicalities.