Markarova: Ukraine in active talks with IMF for a new loan
Ukraine is “in very active discussions” with the International Monetary Fund over a new loan program as the country gears up for a snap general election, according to Finance Minister Oksana Markarova.
The IMF agreed on a $3.9 billion loan in late 2018 to get Ukraine through this year, though aid is on hold until a new government is in place. When that happens, a new program is likely. Markarova sees it lasting three years. She didn’t specify the size.
“This program that we have right now, we’ve designed it as the breach program to cover Ukraine through two elections,” Markarova said Saturday in an interview in Skopje, North Macedonia. “In a sense, this program has done what it had to do.”
IMF aid, which has been accompanied by World Bank loans and bilateral assistance from the U.S. and the European Union, was often delayed as past governments failed to implement required reforms, especially on corruption. Zelenskiy has said he wants to install a pro-reform cabinet, assuming his poll--leading party triumphs in the July 21 election.
source: Ukrain in Arabic
