IMF mission to check Belarus' economic reform

A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will begin work on April 29 in Minsk to evaluate the economic reform program, implemented by the Belarusian authorities. The Belapan news agency reports that the mission will evaluate the implementation of measures, outlined in the program and will hold several meetings at the National Bank and governmental agencies.

According to the results of the visit to last through May 13, the mission will submit a report to IMF headquarters in Washington. The report will be also studied by IMF's Board of Directors, before a decision can be taken to wire the next installment of the stabilization loan. IMF office in Minsk says this can happen not earlier than in June due to organizational reasons.

On January 12, 2009, IMF approved a $2.46 billion stand-by loan, issued for 15 months (up to April 2010) to support a program of economic reforms. The first installment of $788 million (LIBOR plus 0.75% p.a.) arrived in Belarus on January 14. The next installments depend on the quarterly reports of the Belarusian government.

Belarus said earlier it expected the second installment of $400 million in May 2009.