DUSHANBE, April 5, Asia-Plus — The National Bank of Tajikistan intends to pay back loans provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by the time fixed, the NBT head Sharif Rahimzoda announced at a press conference hosted by Tajik central bank on April 4.
The press conference was given to clarify the situation regarding return of IMF’s loans. misreporting situation.
We will recall that the IMF’s executive board on March 6 reprimanded Tajikistan for violating the terms of its poverty reduction agreement with the body. In a statement posted on its website, the IMF accused Tajikistan of engaging in several questionable disbursements in 2004-05 and breaching its obligations. The IMF demanded that Tajikistan pay back almost $48 million in aid by early 2009; that aid was reportedly based on inaccurate financial information provided by Tajik authorities.
Speaking to reporters, the Tajik central bank head said, “Our reserves now allow doing this [paying back $48 million] without any prejudice to the country’s economy and the central bank itself,” the NBT head said.
