Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 28 September (BelTA) – Belarusian First Deputy Finance Minister Maksim Yermolovich talked about work with the IMF on a new country program on the sidelines of the Belarusian Investment Forum on 28 September, BelTA has learned.

The official said: “Work on preparing the program is suspended because in essence the program is ready and negotiations on it are over. There are differences of opinion on some aspects and we continue bringing them together, each side on its own. Resumption is possible only after we request a continuation of the program and take a number of special actions stipulated by the social and economic development program.”

Asked whether Belarus intends to request the program’s continuation soon, Maksim Yermolovich said not for a while. He explained the Finance Ministry continues cooperation with the International Monetary Fund to balance the budget and implement the fiscal policy. “We cooperate with the IMF on technical aid and support for the projects the Finance Ministry is implementing,” he added.

The last time an IMF mission was in Belarus was on 5-12 June. The IMF experts led by Peter Dohlman discussed the economic situation in the country and topical cooperation matters with representatives of Belarusian government agencies, in particular, preparations for the annual consultations, which will be held under Article IV in autumn 2017.