Wednesday11 December 2024
g-novosti.in.ua

Ukraine and the IMF have reached an expert-level agreement on a new review of the funding program, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Ukraine and experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached an agreement on the sixth review of the extended funding program. This was announced by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine on November 19.
Министерство финансов Украины сообщило, что эксперты страны и МВФ согласовали новый пересмотр программы финансирования.

"Representatives of the Ukrainian government and IMF experts have reached an expert-level agreement on the sixth review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. The total volume of the program amounts to approximately $15.6 billion for the years 2023–2027. The agreement is expected to be approved by the IMF Executive Board, with a review anticipated in the coming weeks," the statement said.

The Ministry of Finance noted that discussions on the sixth review of Ukraine's funding program took place from November 11 to 18 (for which IMF representatives arrived in Kyiv).

"Ukraine has fulfilled five structural benchmarks outlined prior to the sixth review of the program. [...] Additionally, Ukraine has completed one more structural benchmark in the energy sector ahead of schedule," the ministry emphasized.

The ministry listed the completed structural benchmarks:

  • amendments to the Customs Code have been adopted in accordance with best international practices;
  • a review of pre-war policies and practices in medium-term budget planning has been conducted;
  • an assessment of financial risks to financial stability has been carried out, and an action plan for various scenarios has been prepared;
  • an evaluation of the financial condition of centralized heating supply enterprises has been conducted;
  • a policy for managing state property in state-owned enterprises, a dividend policy, and a privatization strategy have been developed.

Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko emphasized that "the achievement of an expert-level agreement on the sixth review paves the way for receiving a tranche of $1.1 billion."

"The [IMF] mission noted that the budget for 2025 aligns with the parameters of the EFF program. At the same time, external support remains critically important, given the ongoing full-scale war. The IMF also highlighted the importance of implementing the National Revenue Strategy as a key element for increasing domestic revenues, restoring fiscal resilience, improving the business climate, and meeting criteria for EU accession," the Ministry of Finance reported.