IMF MISSION ASSESSES KYRGYZSTAN'S ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENTS

The mission of the International Monetary Fund started its activity in Bishkek. The mission is headed by Tapio Saavalayne. Well-informed source in Kyrgyz government informs that the Prime minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev received the members of the delegation and discussed with the IMF officials details of IMF activity in the state. The head of the mission was interested in problems of repayment by Kyrgyzstan of its foreign debt, fulfillment of main directions of economic policy, implementation of the budget for 2001 and formation of 2002 state budget. He considers necessary the further cooperation between IMF and Kyrgyz government.

According to the source, the goal of IMF mission's visit to Bishkek is to study within a week and summaries the economic and financial reforms in the state.

With the assistance of IMF, for the two past years, the Kyrgyz government and the National Bank of the state fulfilled the program on decreasing the level of poverty and reaching economic growth. About USD 96 million was allocated for this program. During his last visit the experts of the International Monetary Fund fixed significant improvement of macro-economic indexes, economic growth, decrease of inflation and stabilization of currency rate.