IMF mission visits Macedonia to examine economic situation

Source: Xinhua | 05-08-2009 09:35

TIRANA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission arrived in Macedonia on Thursday for a week-long visit to examine the economic situation in the country.

"We will be reviewing the economic situation here and this is our first day in Macedonia, the mission still has no impression about the situation," Chief of the IMF mission Wes McGrew said.

The mission held talks with officials from the National Bank of Macedonia and is scheduled to meet with Macedonia's Finance Minister Trajko Slaveski and other government officials on Friday.

"I come here with several ideas which should be made concrete following the talks, whereas one of the issues which will be discussed is the trade deficit," added McGrew.

IMF has expressed readiness for cooperation with the Macedonian government which has said that Macedonia does not need an arrangement at this time, but does not rule out the possibility for any future loans.

Macedonia paid off a previous IMF loan of 32 million euros in 2007 and many in the government are reluctant to turn to the fund again.

Editor:Zhang Yun