You're reading: IMF mission satisfied with progress in Ukraine talks

Discussions with the Ukrainian authorities as part of the first review of the Stand-By Arrangement are going well, but the final results will be known only after a mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ends its work in Ukraine, IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine Max Alier has said.

"Discussions are currently going well," he said at a conference in Kyiv on Thursday organized by CFA Ukraine.

"We will make an announcement on the results of the mission," Alier said.

Speaking about the draft Tax Code, Alier said that in general, the IMF supported the modernization of the country’s tax system. At the same time, he called for a gradual reduction in the tax burden and the greatest possible minimization of tax benefits.

Alier noted that in recent years, Ukraine’s public debt has been growing very rapidly, exceeding the growth of the economy.

He also spoke in favor of increasing the effectiveness of expenditures and their possible reduction, because, in his opinion, without this it will be hardly possible to reduce the tax burden.