IMF mission to assess Moldova's performance next month
The Government's goal for the next year remains deeper structural reforms, says Johan Mathisen, the permanent resident of the International Monetary Fund to Chisinau. The official made the statement Tuesday speaking on matters to be discussed by the mission from December 4 to 16, Info-Prim Neo reports.
The mission will evaluate the results of the Government's arrangement with the IMF, supporting through the Poverty Reduction and Economic Grows Facility (PREGF).
The mission will consider the performances of the Cabinet and of the Central Bank in terms of observing their commitments in macroeconomics and structural reforms, the 2009 prospects and will update the Economic and Financial Policies Memo for the coming six months.
“The quality indices and the performance criteria established in the program seem to be attained. I think we can accept the 2009 draft budget. We're concerned with the rhythm of structural reforms however. The central public administration and social assistance reforms were to be laid at the foundation of developing the 2009 budget, but unfortunately they are late,” Johan Mathisen said.
“The central public administration reform is of extraordinary importance. The budget cannot bear the costs to be incurred by its present shape and number of staff. This reform will remain the Government;s main objective in 2009,” he said.
The December mission is the fifth and the last but one within the PREGF with the IMF.
If the assessment is positive, after the IMF board adopts the report, Moldova may get the next disbursement (over $14 million) from the loan of $166 million, provided by the PREGF. Moldova has already got $131 million from it.
The last mission will arrive in Chisinau in April-May as a new program will be signed by the new Cabinet to be sworn in after the next spring elections for the Parliament.