For the first time in recent years Ukraine has recorded an external trade surplus, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov announced this at a meeting with an IMF mission in Kyiv on Tuesday.

"In the economy, the situation is controlled. We expect to reach the GDP growth, which is anticipated in the state budget. Budget revenues in fact have exceeded those planned. We have recorded reduction in imports, a definite increase in exports. As a result, for the first time we have recorded an external trade surplus. Yet it is small, but it is also an optimistic figure," the head of the government emphasized.

He stressed that Ukraine settles all external obligations in time and looks forward to continued cooperation with the IMF. "Since 2011, we have not received a single cent of assistance from the IMF. During this time, many countries, including Spain, have received billions of dollars in loans from the IMF," the Prime Minister underscored.

According to him, soon a government delegation is due to visit Washington for talks with the IMF Executive Board over a new cooperation agreement.

In turn, head of the IMF Mission Christopher Jarvis said that the mission held talks with government officials as well as with representatives of the National Bank of Ukraine. "We have had many meetings and discussions with the National Bank and the government. Over the past few weeks the assessment of the overall economic situation in Ukraine has not undergone changes. The last few months have been quite favorable for Ukraine. In particular, tensions have eased a bit over the exchange rate, and we are pleased to note that over the past few months in Ukraine the economic situation has not deteriorated," Jarvis said.

The IMF mission head introduced new IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Jerome Vacher to Mykola Azarov, who from May 1, 2013 years will replace Max Alier, who held this position for the past four years.

An IMF mission has worked in Ukraine since March 27.


 

ukrinform