Paula Lugones
09/16/2021 12:00
Clarín.com
Economy
Updated 09/16/2021 12:10 PM
The International Monetary Fund did not want to comment on Thursday about the impact that the government crisis could have after the PASO on the negotiations of a new program, but said that
the talks are continuing and that they are "very committed to reaching an agreement with Argentina."
At a press conference in Washington, the Fund's Communications Director,
Gerry Rice,
was asked about the latest events in Argentina and whether the Fund still had confidence that the Government could implement a program like the one they are negotiating.
After noting that it was not the agency's custom to comment on internal political situations in the countries, Rice pointed out that
"we are going to continue working with the Argentine authorities to deepen the technical discussions"
that are being carried out to reach a program with the Fund. that fixes macroeconomic imbalances and lays the foundations for sustained and inclusive growth.
"We are committed to reaching an agreement,"
although he clarified that he does not yet have dates on how the program continues or any mission of the organization to Argentina.
He was also asked if Guzmán had consulted the Fund before sending this year's budget to Congress.
Rice said it
"would be premature to comment on the draft 2022 budget."
And he added that "we are working very closely, bringing our technical understanding on a variety of issues" and declined to offer details on the subject.
Regarding the request for the
reduction of surcharges,
a claim that Argentina has been constantly making to alleviate the debt burden, the spokesperson said that the G20 ministers and the governors of the Central Banks in a recent statement had committed to review the surcharge policies.
And that the managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, took that request and the process is moving forward.
President Alberto Fernández, last days, had said that he expected the Fund to make a decision on the surcharges in October, before the general elections.
Rice said:
"I do not have a specific date,"
although he said there will be an informal meeting of the board members "
that could be done very quickly"
and then a formal meeting of the board on the subject.
"This is how it works, but there is no set date."
The spokesperson also referred to the recent appointment of
Ilan Goldfajn,
former president of the Central Bank of Brazil, as director of the Western Hemisphere Department.
This official, who will replace the retired Alejandro Werner, will be the one who will supervise the negotiations with Argentina.
He said that he has
"tremendous experience"
and that he will contribute "significantly" to the work with all countries.
Washington. Correspondent
