ECONOMY
IMF PLEASED WITH ECONOMIC REFORMS IN AZERBAIJAN
Having told all over again about the purpose of the visit, the representative of the international organization informed that discussed with members of the government results of the fourth stage of the program on poverty reduction carried out in the Republic. He has told: “We are pleased with achievement of significant progress in this area”.
As the positive fact there have been marked consent of the government of Republic to take concrete measures in bringing in the next year under the offer of the International Monetary Fund of the price for energy carriers in conformity with the level of the world market, and also that it is stipulated in the project of the budget increase in the minimal wages and pensions, payment of additional allowances so that needy layers of the population did not appear in heavy conditions.
It has been marked, that the government also supports the proposed offers on reduction of the grants allocated from the budget to joint-stock companies "Azerenergy", "Azerigas”, “Azerikimya” companies, and the direction of the received means for development of education and public health services.
The representative of the international organization has noted, that significant work also has been done in the field of studying, estimation of forthcoming problems of Azerbaijan for the nearest period. The important place on the negotiations which have been carried out with officials of the government of the Republic has been underlined that there were such questions, as improvement of system of banks, taxes, the budget, privatization, the government, combat against corruption, carrying out of tenders, elimination of monopoly, non-admission of growth of inflation, creation of free competition in economy, improvement of corresponding legal base, bringing it in conformity with the international requirements.
High estimation was given to efficiency of the measures accepted in the field of transparency in expenditure of means of Oil Fund, periodic promulgation of reports, use of the allocated credits to destination, and also the mechanism of preparation of the statistical data in the state structures.
The adviser informed that will present the management of the Fund the detailed information on the done work, the carried out measures, has noted, that 6th credit tranche to allocate to Azerbaijan, will depend on results of the steps undertaken by the government within 3-4 weeks. It has been underlined, that the given question will find the decision at session of board of directors of IMF forthcoming on December 22.
In conclusion, the head of mission of the International Monetary Fund has answered questions interesting journalists.