At the request of Tajikistan’s authorities, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Ms. Padamja Khandelwal has arrived in Dushanbe to continue negotiations on launching a new support program for Tajikistan, according to the press center of the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT).
On March 4, IMF team members reportedly met with senior representatives of the National Bank of Tajikistan.
In the course of the talks, NBT head Mr. Jamshed Nourmahmadzoda reportedly expressed hope that they would reach an agreement on developing the program.
According to him, the Tajik side ready to provide all necessary information.
Ms. Padamja Khandelwal, for her part, pointed out the decrease in a share of non-performing loans (NPLs) in the country’s loan portfolio, the NBT press center says.
She reportedly also pointed to the necessity of reducing external debts, attracting foreign investments, using modern financial instruments and developing the stock market.
During the visit, Ms. Padamja Khandelwal is expected to hold talks with senior representatives of relevant ministries and agencies of Tajikistan.
Recall, Tajik central bank chairman Nourmahmadzoda told reporters in Dushanbe in early February that Tajikistan hopes to secure a $220 million IMF loan in March after years of talks.
“We are in the final stages,” Nourmahmadzoda told a briefing. “A concluding round of talks is scheduled for March when an IMF mission is due to visit Dushanbe.”
The IMF commended the Tajik government last October for its plans to put the energy sector on a sound financial footing, strengthen the financial sector, and develop the monetary policy framework.
