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IMF review team

due in April

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) review mission is expected to arrive here early next month to commence deliberation on financial assistance under Poverty Reduction and Growth Programme (PRGP).

According to sources country's economic managers are engaged in the exercise of finalising the amount to be requested during the meeting with review mission for short-term span.

The mission will also review the current economic situation and macro-economic performance in fiscal year 1999-2000 as a part of its routine task besides holding talks on financial assistance under Extend Fund Facility and Poverty Reduction and Growth Programme, sources added.

Pakistan and IMF will hold threadbare negotiations on the Poverty reduction and Growth Programme which is to replace the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility, sources observed.

The mission will also be briefed about the salient objectives, shaped under the Economic Agenda of the present government to retrieve the economy back to fast growth.

An IMF delegation headed by Paul Chabbrier, Director Middle Eastern Department, held meetings with the Pakistan official in December last which focused on future direction of Pakistan-IMF relations.ÑAPP