IMF mission to Ukraine postponed again
The International Monetary Fund has not yet planned to send a mission to Ukraine to review the credit program, which indicates a further delay in the allocation of the fifth tranche.
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine news agency, IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Gosta Ljungman said that when the mission arrives, it will be determined when the fund sees the prerequisites for reviewing the program.
“The date of the mission’s arrival for the next review has not yet been determined. We are in constant contact with the authorities. When we see a positive basis for completing the review of the program, then we will determine the date,” Ljungman said.
The Permanent Representative also noted that during his visit to Ukraine, the deputy head of the IMF David Lipton did not discuss the issue of the date of the mission. “The main purpose of Mr. Lipton’s visit was to convey a message about the importance of continuing reforms. During the visit, neither the details of the reforms nor the algorithms for reviewing the program were discussed,” he said.
According to him, the basis for the review of the program will be the adoption of pension reform, acceleration of privatization, the issue of automatic revision of gas prices and the institution of anti-corruption measures.
He acknowledged that over the past three years there have been more reforms in Ukraine than in all the years since the country became independent, but they need to continue.
“Now it is important to continue reforms and create a basis for further growth. We see a goal for the near future - to adopt pension reform that will make the public finance system more stable. We also consider it necessary to accelerate privatization, which will allow us to create a positive dynamic for economic growth. And it is also extremely important to continue the fight against corruption at all levels,” Ljungman said.
Initially, the visit of the IMF mission was planned for September 12, but only the first deputy director-manager of the International Monetary Fund, David Lipton, arrived.
On the same day, the deputy head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Ekaterina Rozhkova, said that the mission could come for a review in the second half of September.