IMF Experts Begin Preliminary Discussions In Moscow

A group of experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, who arrived in Moscow yesterday, begin preliminary consultations, Wednesday, with representatives of Russian economic agencies discussing budgetary policies. The mission experts will, in part, hold preliminary discussions with the Finance Ministry's departments of the budget policies, macroeconomy and for contacts with international financial organisations. The IMF experts are also expected to meet with representatives of the Central Bank and other economic institutions of the country. The consultations, which will last into December 11, will focus on the present state of the Russian economy. Among other things, they envisage an opinion exchange on the dynamics of the basic macroeconomic indices. Russian and foreign financial experts point out that the visit is taking place against the background of the deteriorating situation in the world oil market. This fact attracts special attention to the mission's current Moscow visit.