Tajikistan, IMF Agree On Poverty Reduction Program

(RFE/RL) PRAGUE, March 16, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Tajikistan have agreed on a new three-year program aimed at reducing poverty in the country, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.

The head of the IMF mission in Tajikistan, Carlos Pinerua, said the IMF and Tajikistan will work on macroeconomic
policies, credit policies, strengthening the taxation system, and on reforming the energy sector.

He added that it was not clear yet how much funding Tajikistan will be granted within the project, which will begin in the coming months. However, he suggested the figure could be $120 million.

The IMF also noted that Tajikistan's macroeconomic performance between 2003 and 2005 surpassed expectations.