IMF Expresses Willingness to Enhance Economic Cooperation with Azerbaijan

Baku: Azerbaijan's First Deputy Minister of Finance, Anar Karimov, engaged in discussions with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Anna Bordon, the Head of the IMF Mission to Azerbaijan. The meeting revolved around the Azerbaijani economy's development trends, fiscal policy, medium-term prospects, and the focus areas for the upcoming Article IV Consultations.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Anar Karimov emphasized the fiscal reforms that Azerbaijan has implemented recently. He highlighted the role of these reforms in fortifying macroeconomic stability, sustaining public debt, safeguarding the State Oil Fund's assets, and enhancing budget expenditure efficiency. Karimov also mentioned the expansion of a results-based budget mechanism and the medium-term expenditure framework, which are pivotal in managing public finances more effectively.

Anna Bordon expressed appreciation for the existing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the IMF, acknowledging the significance of the reforms aimed at improving public finance management and ensuring macroeconomic stability. She reiterated the IMF's readiness to continue its collaboration with Azerbaijan in enhancing economic policy, fiscal management, and institutional capacity building.

The meeting further included discussions on tax and customs administration improvements, the green development agenda, restoration efforts in liberated territories, and other topics of mutual interest.