Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

IMF resident representative to leave Belarus in April

BelaPAN

Natalia Koliadina, who has been the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s resident representative in Belarus since April 2009, will return to the IMF headquarters after the expiration of her three-year term in early April, said the IMF press office on Tuesday.

The IMF has no plans to replace the current resident representative after the end of her assignment as it tries to "effectively use its resources, allocating them to projects and countries where they can have the greatest impact", said the press office.

"The Fund will consider posting a new full-time Resident Representative in Belarus if and when a new IMF-supported program with Belarus becomes imminent", said the press office. "In the meantime, the IMF will keep the Minsk Office open with local staff".

"IMF staff will continue supporting the authorities’ efforts in macroeconomic stabilization and structural reforms", it said. "The IMF will remain engaged with Belarus in the context of six-monthly post-program monitoring and annual surveillance missions, regular visits from Mark Allen, Senior Resident Representative for Central and Eastern Europe, and capacity building through training and technical assistance".

Speaking about the end of her assignment, Ms. Koliadina said: "I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Belarusian authorities for their cooperation and warm hospitality. I would also like to thank all of the people who have helped me during my time here for their friendship and their hard work on behalf of Belarus".

Ms. Koliadina has been the seventh resident representative of the IMF in Belarus since the country joined the Fund in 1992. She will remain to serve in the position through early April.

The IMF withdrew its resident representative from Belarus in 2005, a year after the country’s government announced that it would no longer borrow from the Fund.

Ms. Koliadina was appointed to the position after the IMF Executive Board approved in early 2009 a stand-by arrangement for Belarus. The IMF provided a total of $3.46 billion to the country under the agreement between 2009 and 2010.