DUSHANBE, August 6, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon is currently holding talks with visiting delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).   

The meeting is discussing issues related to cooperation between Tajikistan and the Fund on attraction of investments in Tajikistan’s economy.   

It cannot be ruled out that the sides will also consider issues related to auditing activities of the National Bank of Tajikistan, Barqi Tojik power holding and Tajik Aluminum Company (Talco).   

Mr. David Owen, Senior Advisor in the IMF''s Middle East and Central Asia Department, heading the Fund’s delegation arrived in Tajikistan at the beginning of this week to evaluate the present macroeconomic situation and initial progress of implementation of the Staff Monitored Program (SMP).

We will recall that the Staff Monitored Program (SMP) covers the period June 1-December 31, 2008.  The SMP establishes a macroeconomic framework that will support the country’s efforts at economic stabilization and implementation of structural reforms to help address the current problems faced by Tajikistan.  At the core of this program are measures to strengthen the autonomy and governance of the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), aiming to address weaknesses exposed by the recent incident of misreporting.  Tajikistan reached understanding with Fund staff on the SMP during the April 17-30 mission.