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IMF Frees Funds For Armenia

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  • IMF Frees Funds For Armenia

    IMF FREES FUNDS FOR ARMENIA

    MSN Philippines News
    http://news.ph.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5648767
    Dec 13 2011

    The International Monetary Fund released $56.1 million for Armenia
    Monday, commending the struggling country for "prudent" policies to
    cut budget deficits and hold down inflation.

    The IMF gave the Armenian central bank a waiver for not having reached
    targets on building reserves in releasing the newest installment of
    a three-year, $413.4 million loan facility.

    The facility, opened in June 2010, was designed to help the isolated
    country of 3.2 million people rebuild its finances after being ravaged
    in the 2008-09 global economic downturn.

    "The Armenian authorities should be commended for continued
    implementation of sound policies under the Fund-supported program,
    which have helped underpin the moderation of inflation this year and
    the continuing post-crisis recovery," the IMF said in a statement.

    It urged more structural reforms to help the private sector grow and
    compete, warning that "Armenia faces increasing downside risks from the
    global environment, which may exacerbate its existing vulnerabilities."

    It said Armenia's public debt, driven up in the crisis, was limiting
    the government's policy flexibility, even as the economy has resumed
    growing after a sharp contraction in 2009.

    "Timely and prudent policy responses will be needed in the period
    ahead, involving greater exchange rate flexibility and steadfast
    progress to strengthen the business environment and increase
    competitiveness."

    On Thursday Armenian lawmakers approved a 2012 budget that forecasts
    modest 4.2 percent growth but raises taxes to boost the small ex-Soviet
    state's revenues amid pressures on its fragile economy.

    The country is economically isolated because its borders with two
    neighbors Turkey and Azerbaijan have long been closed due to political
    disputes.

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