MEETING WITH LEADER OF IMF STAFF TEAM KOSHY MATHAI AND RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE NEIL SAKER
On August 2, the President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga welcomed Koshy Mathai, Leader of the International Monetary Fund’s /IMF/ staff team in Mongolia, and Neil Saker, Resident Representative of the IMF to Mongolia.
They discussed Mongolia’s recent economic situation and projects implemented by the IMF.
Leader of the IMF’s staff team Koshy Mathai made a brief introduction about the agreement between the Government of Mongolia and IMF, and reminded Mongolians not to calm down, it is might be temporary economic growth.
In response, President Battulga noted: “I would like to ask whether the IMF made economic evaluation in Mongolia. The IMF should have gave advice to the Government of Mongolia on producing value added goods, avoiding economic dependence, and enhancing economic cooperation with the third trade partner. I do not regard the increase of coal price in the global stock market as an economic achievement. Because, commodity price rise is temporary, our country will prosper only if we export value added products. Once again, I would like to request the IMF to express its stance on this issue.
Children Money Program is not only welfare expenditure it is a policy of Mongolia to increase its population. The IMF refused commercial banks to regard livestock as credit collateral. Livestock is main asset for our people. The IMF’s financing package of 5.5 billion USD is not too much money for Mongolia, if we lay a solid foundation for stable economy”.